Abstract
The psychotic depression is relatively common type of depressive disorder. It is different from non - psychotic form of unipolar depression in certain characteristics (eg. response to treatment, risk of suicide, course and prognosis of illness etc.).
Authors review efficacy of various pharmacological treatment of psychotic depression (tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics). The most effective pharmacological acute treatment of psychotic depression is according to results of clinical trials combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic.
The use of atypical antipsychotics with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors could be new promise in the treatment of psychotic depression. Guidelines for continuation treatment are not evidence - based, because controlled, double- blind study are lacking.