Atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

OBJECTIVES: This study reviewed extant published articles on the efficacy and safety of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: We performed a literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database in January 2013. Selection criteria for this review included prospective, controlled studies using validated rating scales of PTSD symptoms in the management of PTSD. RESULTS: A total of 12 prospective, controlled studies were included in this review. This review found that atypical antipsychotics are effective and safe in treating PTSD, although there were some negative findings. In particular, atypical antipsychotics also seem to be effective in treating anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms frequently accompanied by PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: This review found that atypical antipsychotics seemed to be effective and tolerable in the management of PTSD, although the evidence was limited.