In reply: Fava observes that duration of treatment with an antidepressant does not affect the subsequent rate of relapse. Indeed, it would be unexpected if it did; medication only works while it is being taken. He then states that the duration of antidepressant treatment is immaterial. However, Figure 1 of the reference he quotes1 indicates that, for at least 54 months after the index episode, continuing medication provides greater protection against relapse than early discontinuation.
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Correspondence:
- 1. Viguera AC, Baldessarini RJ, Friedberg J. Discontinuing antidepressant treatment in major depression. Harv Rev Psychiatry 1998; 5: 293-306.
- 2. Baldessarini RJ, Ghaemi SN, Viguera AC. Tolerance in antidepressant treatment. Psychother Psychosom 2002; 71: 177-179.
- 3. Ellis PM, Smith DAR. Treating depression: the beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care. Med J Aust 2002; 176 (Suppl 20 May): S77-S83. <MJA full text>
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