Citation

Rojas-Fernandez C, Mikhail M. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2012; 145(3): 128-135.e2.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3821/145.3.cpj128

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Late-life depression is common in older people. Its incidence increases significantly after age 70 to 85, as well as among those living in long-term care facilities. Depression contributes to excess morbidity and complicates management of comorbid conditions in older people. Diagnosis and management of depression often present clinicians with a challenge. Indeed, symptoms of depression in older people may not always be the same as those associated with depression in younger people. Additionally, age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics also impact selection, dosing, and monitoring of psychopharmacologic regimens. Optimizing management of depression and providing sound advice to older patients with depression requires knowledge and understanding of many clinical factors. The purpose of this review is to highlight salient issues in latelife depression, with a focus on the pharmacotherapy of depression.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; incidence; aging; insomnia; prevalence; anxiety; comorbidity; nursing home; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; pharmacist; emotional disorder; review; fatigue; death; anorexia; vomiting; antidepressant agent; antiparkinson agent; neuroleptic agent; sexual dysfunction; geriatric care; weight reduction; drug metabolism; amfebutamone; citalopram; cognitive defect; desipramine; fluoxetine; mirtazapine; moclobemide; monoamine oxidase inhibitor; nortriptyline; paroxetine; sedation; serotonin uptake inhibitor; sertraline; venlafaxine; xerostomia; tamoxifen; vincristine; headache; somnolence; physical examination; sleep disorder; urine retention; constipation; orthostatic hypotension; psychopharmacotherapy; placebo; psychiatric diagnosis; psychomotor disorder; tramadol; diarrhea; drug tolerability; nausea; tremor; weight gain; hypotension; sweating; psychosomatic disorder; restlessness; unindexed drug; side effect; apathy; duloxetine; escitalopram; agitation; asthenia; QT prolongation; arthralgia; tinnitus; drug half life; adrenalin; cytochrome P450; hyponatremia; warfarin; thought disorder; concentration loss; gerontopsychiatry; pethidine; anhedonia; gastrointestinal hemorrhage; nervousness; dyspepsia; hypersomnia; hypochondriasis; dizziness; increased appetite; lethargy; neuropathic pain; treatment response; inappropriate vasopressin secretion; abdominal cramp; treatment duration; hyperhidrosis; seizure threshold; blurred vision; dry eye; weakness; linezolid; serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor; sore throat; decreased appetite; drug protein binding; abnormal dreaming; rhinopharyngitis; bedtime dosage; vinblastine; heart conduction; desvenlafaxine; late life depression; dose dependent QT prolongation; motor retardation