Benzodiazepine as an Adjuvant in Management of Depression

Objective: To assess the effects of benzodiazepines in management of depression. Methodology: An open label 8 week study of escitalopram with or without benzodiazepines in moderate to severe depression. 30 subjects willing to give written informed consent, fulfilling the inclusion, exclusion criteria were included in the study and grouped into escitalopram alone or escitalopram with benzodiazepines. Results: In the study 60% of the subjects were prescribed benzodiazepines, i.e. clonazepam. Though escitalopram with clonazepam had faster onset of action in controlling depressive symptoms than escitalopram alone, there was no significant difference in the pattern of reduction of MADRS score in both the groups. Conclusion: Benzodiazepines as adjuvant to antidepressants are commonly used in management of depression, but benefits of combination are unclear.