Placebo-controlled efficacy of antidepressants in continuation treatment.

All episodes of depression require treatment after symptomatic response of the acute episode in order to consolidate response. If treatment is discontinued early, 30% to 50% of patients will suffer a relapse of the inadequately treated episode. Placebo-controlled studies with a variety of antidepressants, old and new, have provided compelling evidence of the efficacy of anti-depressants on relapse prevention. A recent study of citalopram has also shown the need for long-term treatment with anti-depressants in patients whose acute episode of depression appeared to respond to placebo since their response was not maintained.