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Lithium augmentation of venlafaxine in adolescent major depression
Objective:
Studies on the pharmacotherapy of adolescent major depression are limited but suggest that the illness is often resistant to drug treatment. We aim to report the use of lithium augmentation of venlafaxine in two teenagers with major depression.
Clinical Picture:
Two 16-year-olds with major depression are described.
Treatment:
In both patients, the treatment involved trials of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, and psychotherapy preceded lithium augmentation of venlafaxine. The trial of venlafaxine alone had been short in one patient.
Outcome:
Combining lithium and venlafaxine was rapidly followed by marked improvement in mood and function.
Conclusions:
Augmentation of antidepressants should be considered in young depressed patients who fail to respond to adequate trials of new antidepressants alone.