New formulations of existing antidepressants: Advantages in the management of depression

Abstract

For nearly 50 years, antidepressant drugs have been the first-line treatment for various forms of depression. Despite their widespread use, these medications have significant shortcomings, in particular problems of patient compliance due to adverse effects. The introduction of new formulations of existing antidepressant medications may provide patients with benefits in terms of convenience of use. As a consequence, improvements in compliance may lead to better antidepressant efficiency. An orally disintegrating formulation of mirtazapine (mirtazapine SolTab®), a once-weekly formulation of fluoxetine, an enantiomer-specific formulation of citalopram (escitalopram), an extended-release formula..