Citation

Harris MG, Benfield P. Drugs Aging 1995; 6(1): 64-84.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Adis International)

DOI

10.2165/00002512-199506010-00006

PMID

7696780

Abstract

The selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine is an effective antidepressant in elderly patients. Its efficacy is similar to that of other frequently used antidepressants, such as the tricyclic antidepressants. However, compared with the tricyclic antidepressants, fluoxetine has a more favourable tolerability profile and is less toxic in overdose. It is associated with fewer anticholinergic, cardiovascular and CNS adverse events, but greater numbers of gastrointestinal adverse events than have been reported for the tricyclic antidepressants. This is important in elderly patients who are more at risk of developing central anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects than are younger patients. Therefore, while its position relative to other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors requires investigation, fluoxetine represents a major advance over tricyclic antidepressant agents in the treatment of elderly patients with depression, predominantly because of its favourable tolerability profile.

Language: en

Keywords

Aged; Amitriptyline; Clomipramine; Depressive Disorder; Drug Interactions; Fluoxetine; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Receptors, Adrenergic; Suicide