RxFiles Depression

Depression Newsletter, November 2022

A selected collection of the documents below.

Cornerstones to Initiating Antidepressant Therapy

A tool describing investigations, stratifying care, follow-up, and individualizing depression therapy.

Managing Inadequate Antidepressant Treatment Response

A tool describing how to assess treatment non-response, and how to select between switching therapy and adding therapy.

Approach to Stopping Antidepressants

An infographic describing who is a good candidate for stopping their antidepressant, and how to maximize their chance of success if stopping.

Antidepressant Drug Comparison & Colour Comparison Charts

Describes how to select initial therapy, management of adverse effects, special populations, how to switch antidepressants, how to discontinue antidepressants, and compares all antidepressant classes side by side.

Treatment-Resistant Depression Chart

A closer look at managing inadequate treatment response, comparing options to switch or add drug therapy.

Children and Adolescent Depression Treatment

A drug comparison chart on the medications available for treating major depressive disorder in children and adolescents.

Depression FAQs

Are the newer antidepressants vortioxetine (TRINTELLIX), vilazodone (VIIBRYD), and levomilnacipran (FETZIMA) any better than pre-existing antidepressants?
What are important considerations in the management of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction?
What is the evidence for atypical antipsychotics or lithium as adjunctive therapy?
Do intranasal esketamine (SPRAVATO) or intranasal racemic ketamine have a role in treatment-resistant depression?

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Antidepressants Q&A

Should antidepressants be discontinued before or during pregnancy?
Is there any harm in not treating depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy & postpartum?
What is the role for non-pharmacological therapies during pregnancy?
Which antidepressants are considered the safest during pregnancy?
Are paroxetine and fluoxetine associated with congenital malformations?
Are SSRIs associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn?
Are antidepressants associated with neonatal behavioural syndrome?
Which antidepressants are considered safe during breastfeeding?

Do Antidepressants Work?

Describes efficacy outcomes and limitations to the evidence for depression treatment.

Mental Health Resource Toolkit

Support pathways and non-medication options to help manage mental health conditions (many are Saskatchewan-specific).

Non-Drug Treatment to Improve Mental Health Prescription Pad

A prescription pad for prescribing non-drug therapy for mental health conditions. Free to access.

Drug Interactions of Antidepressants

Lists some common drug interactions for common antidepressants.

Depression in Older Adults

An approach to depression management in older adults.

STAR*D Trial Summary

Summary of the STAR*D trial, which examined which of several treatments are most effective for people with major depressive disorder (MDD) who experience unsatisfactory clinical outcomes following initial, and (if necessary) subsequent treatments.

ANTLER Trial Summary

Summary of the ANTLER trial, which examined the chance of success when discontinuing antidepressants in patients who typically had ≥3 past episodes of depression and were on antidepressant treatment for ≥3 years.

Stopping an Antidepressant Patient Booklet

Available in colour or in black and white for easy printing.

A hard copy of this booklet is also available for purchase in our online store (free for health care providers in Saskatchewan; email info@rxfiles.ca).

RxFiles: Depression