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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Late-Life Depression

A Comparative Review

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Abstract

Late-life depression is a serious health problem that is challenging to manage but generally responds well to pharmacotherapy. Selective serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, are usually used as first-line agents for elderly patients with depression. Like most drugs, SSRIs have not been widely tested in clinical trials that approximate ‘real-life’ geriatric situations. However, studies completed to date provide valuable information about the efficacy, safety and tolerability of this class of antidepressants among older patients with depression, including those with depression secondary to stroke or dementia and those with other comorbid physical disorders.

Although one SSRI may be more efficacious or better tolerated by elderly patients than another, existing data do not support such claims. However, other distinguishing features may influence the choice of agent. For example, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine are more likely to be involved in significant drug-drug interactions than are citalopram or sertraline. In contrast to the other SSRIs, fluoxetine has a half-life well in excess of 1 day, which can be an advantage when weaning the patient off therapy in that it may reduce the incidence of discontinuation symptoms, but a significant disadvantage if the patient cannot tolerate the drug or experiences an adverse drug-drug interaction.

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Acknowledgements

Supported in part by grants MH 01509, MH 01613, MH 59666, MH 52247.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    LalithKumar K. Solai

  2. VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Benoit H. Mulsant

  3. Psychopharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Geriatric Psychopharmacology Program, USA

    Bruce G. Pollock

  4. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Bruce G. Pollock

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  1. LalithKumar K. Solai
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  2. Benoit H. Mulsant
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  3. Bruce G. Pollock
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Correspondence to LalithKumar K. Solai.

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Solai, L.K., Mulsant, B.H. & Pollock, B.G. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Late-Life Depression. Drugs & Aging 18, 355–368 (2001). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200118050-00006

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