How many medicines should I be taking for my symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder?
There are no easy answers to this and it is a very individual choice. Generally one medicine should always be the aim but combinations (often called “polypharmacy”) sometimes help. It is rarely of any use to combine drugs with similar ways of working. Below are some of the combinations that are used with the reasons. This is not a complete list but you might want to talk to your prescriber about any combinations not on this list you may be prescribed.
Generally only one antidepressant e.g. an SSRI, but you should make sure you are taking the highest dose you can cope with. Sometimes, antipsychotics and/or sleeping tablets can help as well.
| Main medicine | Second medicine | Reason |
| A serotonin booster (e.g. citalopram, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) | Antipsychotic (e.g. risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine) | Symptoms not getting any better |
| A serotonin booster (e.g. citalopram, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) | Sleeping tablets | If sleep is a major problem |