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Use of paroxetine for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in the elderly: a review
Author(s) -
Bourin Michel
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.467
Subject(s) - paroxetine , panic disorder , anxiety , generalized anxiety disorder , psychiatry , anxiety disorder , panic , depression (economics) , psychology , tolerability , social anxiety , adverse effect , antidepressant , medicine , economics , macroeconomics
Paroxetine is a potent selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with indications for the treatment of depression, obsessive– compulsive disorder, panic disorder and social phobia. It is also used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, post‐traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and chronic headache. There is wide interindividual variation in the pharmacokinetics of paroxetine in adults as well as in the elderly with higher plasma concentrations and slower elimination noted in the latter. Elimination is also reduced in severe renal and hepatic impairment, however, serious adverse events are extremely rare even in overdose. A Pub Med search was used to collect information on the efficacy and tolerability in elderly patients. There are few studies of depression in the elderly and only one study in the old–old. In anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder and social anxiety, there are no studies at all in the elderly. However, the safety of the drug allows its prescription in the elderly. In summary, paroxetine is well tolerated in the treatment of depression in those between the ages of 65 and 75, although few studies have examined its use in those of 75 and older. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.