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Table 1 Pharmacotherapy Interventions

From: Bereavement care interventions: a systematic review

Medication

Pop

CG

RA

Num*

TSL (days)

Dose

DT (days)

Key Outcome Measures

Article

Nortriptyline

Senior

Y

Y-NE

80/66

216–279

Steady-state plasma level: 50–120 ng/mL

112

Depression (HAM-D); Grief (TRIG)

Reynolds, Miller, et al, 1999**

 

Senior

Y

Y-NE

27/27

210 (mean)

Steady-state plasma level: 79.9+/-28.3 ng/mL

Daily dose: 70.8+/-22.2 mg

<180

Sleep (PSQI); Depression (HAM-D, BDI)

Taylor, Reynolds, et al, 1999

 

Senior

Y

NR

30/24

276

Steady-state plasma level: 72.7 ng/mL

Daily dose: 53.0 mg

112

Sleep (PSQI)

Pasternak, Reynolds, et al, 1994

 

Senior

N

NA

13/13

150–750

Daily dose: 49.2 mg

9–184

Depression (HAM-D, BDI, BSI); Grief (TRIG, JGI); Sleep (PSQI)

Pasternak, Reynolds, et al, 1991

Nortriptyline and Paroxetine

Adult

N

NA

21/15

183–4158

PT Daily dose: 20–50 mg

NT Daily dose: 50–160 mg

120

Depression (HAM-D); Grief (ICG); Sleep (PSQI)

Zygmont, Prigerson, et al, 1998

Desipramine

Adult

N

NA

10/9

NR

Daily dose: 75–150 mg

28

Depression (HDRS, CGI, Raskin DS); Grief (Separation Distress)

Jacobs, Nelson, et al, 1987

Bupropion

Adult

N

NA

22/14

42–56

Daily dose: 150–300 mg

56

Grief (TRIG, ICG); Depression (HAM-D)

Zisook, Schuchter, et al, 2001

Diazepam

Senior

Y

Y

35/30

<14

2 mg/pill, self-administered

<42

Bereavement (BPQ)

Warner, Metcalfe, et al, 2001

  1. Notes: * All Ns are reported as (starting population of bereaved individuals/bereaved population completing all follow-ups), unless only study included only one assessment. ** Study also included psychotherapy condition. Legend: Pop, Target Population; CG, Control Group; RA, Random Assignment; Num, Number of subjects; TSL, Time Since Loss; DT, Duration of Trial; NA, Not Applicable; NR, Not Reported; UC, Unclear; Y, Yes; N, No; Y-NE, Randomization mentioned, but allocation method not explicitly stated; RS, Randomization Subverted.