Methylphenidate augmentation of citalopram in elderly depressed patients

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2001 Summer;9(3):298-303.

Abstract

The authors followed 10 elderly depressed patients (mean age=79.8 years; in an open trial of methylphenidate (MPH) augmentation of citalopram used to accelerate and enhance their antidepressant response. Eight of the 10 patients demonstrated clinically significant improvement by Week 8. Four of the seven patients with augmentation initiated during the first week of treatment with citalopram met the criteria for rapid response at Week 2. No patient discontinued treatment. These preliminary observations suggest that a combination of MPH and citalopram may be an effective, relatively well tolerated treatment in this patient population and may accelerate onset of action. However, patients may require dosage adjustment for tolerability of this combination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents / metabolism
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / administration & dosage
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use*
  • Citalopram / administration & dosage
  • Citalopram / metabolism*
  • Citalopram / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylphenidate / administration & dosage
  • Methylphenidate / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Citalopram
  • Methylphenidate