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Antidepressants and the Elderly
Author(s) -
Peabody Cecilia A.,
Whiteford Harvey A.,
Hollister Leo E.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1986.tb07261.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tricyclic , anticholinergic , depression (economics) , adverse effect , disease , monoamine oxidase , psychiatry , intensive care medicine , pharmacology , biochemistry , chemistry , economics , macroeconomics , enzyme
The pharmacologic treatment of depression in the elderly is often complicated by cardiovascular disease and other medical illnesses. Both the tricyclic antidepressants and the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors have adverse effects that are potentially dangerous in this age group. Second generation antidepressants may have fewer cardiovascular and anticholinergic side effects, but many do not offer any real advantage over the older drugs. In practical terms, the choice of antidepressants for use in elderly patients will be based largely on their degree of tolerance for unwanted effects.