Table 2.

Initial strategies for pharmacological treatment for major depressive disorder across practice guidelines

Guideline	1st-line treatment	Next intervention
Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2017 (nonpsychotic depression)	Mild to moderate episode: AD monotherapy Severe episode without PF: AD monotherapy AD+AAP	Mild to moderate episode: AD+AD AD+AAP AD+MS Severe episode without PF: AAP monotherapy AD+MS ECT
Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2017 (psychotic depression)	AD+AAP	ECT AAP monotherapy AD+TAP AD+MS AD monotherapy AD+AD
American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder, Third Edition	Nonpsychotic: AD monotherapy Psychotic: AD+AP, ECT	-
Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments	SSRI, SNRI, agomelatine, bupropion, mirtazapine, vortioxetine	TCA, quetiapine, trazodone, moclobemide, selegiline, levomilnacipran, vilazodone
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence	AD monotherapy	-
Texas Medication Algorithm Project	Nonpsychotic: AD monotherapy Psychotic: AD+AP, ECT	-
World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry	SSRI, other newer antidepressants	TCA, MAOI
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders	SSRI, NaSSA, bupropion, SNRIs, NARI, agomelatine, vortioxetine	TCA, MAOI

AAP, atypical antipsychotic agent; AD, antidepressant; AP, antipsychotic agent; ECT, electroconvulsive therapy; MAOI, monoamine oxidase inhibitor; MS, mood stabilizer; NARI, noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor; NaSSA, noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant; PF, psychotic features; SNRI, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; TAP, typical antipsychotic agent; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant.