Practical considerations for the treatment of depression in elderly and very elderly long-term care patients

J Clin Psychiatry. 1999:60 Suppl 20:30-3.

Abstract

Depression in the elderly and very elderly, especially those in long-term care facilities, often is more difficult to treat than depression in young or middle-aged adults. Because this population may be more sensitive to the common adverse effects of many antidepressant drugs, particularly the anticholinergic side effects, administration of pharmacologic therapy for depression in the elderly requires careful consideration of the side effect profiles of the various classes of antidepressant medication.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
  • Bupropion / adverse effects
  • Bupropion / therapeutic use
  • Cyclohexanols / adverse effects
  • Cyclohexanols / therapeutic use
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care*
  • Middle Aged
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Cyclohexanols
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Bupropion
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride