Escitalopram in the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Major Depression Postpartum Onset (PPD) is a chronic relapsing illness which affects not only maternal mood but also the baby and family. Therefore, it is critical to aim for timely intervention once the diagnosis is made. Studies have shown that antidepressant medications are effective in treatment for moderate to severe PPD. Common reasons for noncompliance and discontinuation of antidepressant medications in the postpartum period are the side effects associated with different antidepressants. To choose an antidepressant medication with proven efficacy and a tolerable side effect profile is key in order to maximize adherence to pharmacotherapy.

A number of studies have been published that highlight the efficacy of escitalopram in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). However, there has been no research to date investigating the effectiveness of escitalopram in the treatment of PPD.

Based upon the preliminary clinical observations in our tertiary care program (Provincial Reproductive Mental Health Program) where a postpartum depressed population is frequently treated with antidepressant medications, compliance with escitalopram has been impressive. Therefore, we propose to conduct an open-label study with escitalopram in postpartum depressed, non-lactating mothers to confirm our clinical observation.

Hypotheses:

i) Escitalopram will be effective in the treatment of Postpartum Depression and ii) Escitalopram will be effective in increasing the quality of life of participants.

Inclusion criteria

• female between the ages of 19 to 40 years of age
• given birth in the last 6 months
• not currently breastfeeding
• meet criteria for Major Depressive Disorder as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV TR)
• Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score greater than or equal to 25 at enrolment
• able to read and write English
• sign written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• have a significant risk of suicide according to the investigator's opinion or presents a score of 5 or greater on item 10 (suicidal thoughts) of of the MADRS
• meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for past or current manic or hypomanic episode, past or current psychotic symptoms or disorder, and/or has a history of drug or alcohol abuse/dependence within the last 6 months
• uses the following disallowed recent or concomitant medication within the specified time periods - any antidepressant or any drug used for augmentation of antidepressant action within the last 2 weeks (5 weeks for fluoxetine) prior to baseline, any benzodiazepines or other anxiolytics within the last week prior to baseline, any non-benzodiazepine hypnotics within the last week prior to baseline, oral antipsychotics within 2 weeks or depot antipsychotics within 6 months prior to baseline, serotonergic medicinal products (for example triptans, tryptophan, tramadol) within the last week prior to baseline, psychoactive herbal remedies (for example St. Johns Wort, kava kava, valerian, gingko biloba) within the last 2 weeks prior to baseline, any other drug with potential psychotropic effects within the last 2 weeks prior to baseline, any anticonvulsant drug within the last 2 weeks prior to baseline, or any investigational product within 3 months prior to baseline
• is currently receiving formal cognitive or behavioural therapy, systematic psychotherapy, or plans to initiate such therapy during the study
• current depressive symptoms of the patient are considered by the investigator to have been resistant to two well-conducted antidepressant treatments of at least 6 weeks duration
• has a serious illness or serious sequelae thereof, including liver or renal insufficiency, or a cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological (including epilepsy), infectious, neoplastic, or metabolic disturbance (if there is a history of such disease but the condition has been stable for at least one year and is judged by the investigator not to render inclusion unsafe and not to interfere with the patient's participation in the study, the patient may be included.)