Recent Developments in Geriatric Psychopharmacotherapy

1994 ◽  
Vol 39 (8_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair J. Flint
Keyword(s):  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Bipolar Affective Disorder ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Psychiatric Complications

This paper highlights recent advances in the pharmacological management of geriatric affective disorders and dementia. The current roles of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the treatment of depression in old age are discussed. Recent findings pertaining to continuation and maintenance of antidepressant treatment are also addressed. The treatment of bipolar affective disorder in the elderly has received much less study than has unipolar depression. A number of issues relating to efficacy, side-effects and optimal blood levels of lithium, carbamazepine and valproate in bipolar disorder remain unresolved and await further study. Finally, drug treatment of the cognitive impairment and psychiatric complications of Alzheimer's disease is reviewed.

scholarly journals Clinical trials of antidepressant medications are producing meaningless results

2003 ◽  
Vol 183 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Parker ◽  
Ian M. Anderson ◽  
Peter Haddad
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Antidepressant Medication ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Antidepressant Medications ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Uk

A recent alert from the UK Committee on Safety of Medicines stated that the dangers of treatment of depression with paroxetine outweigh the benefits in those under 18. Such a warning should focus our minds on the evidence on which clinical practice is based. Antidepressant treatment of depression in the under-18s has been thought to be justified because clinical trials show that it works so well in over-18s. But is that a reasonable assessment of the evidence? Kirsch et al (2002) use the analogy of ‘The Emperor's New Clothes' to describe the findings from their meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials of antidepressants. They conclude that antidepressant medication appears to have only a small effect on outcome over and above placebo. In this analogy psychiatry is the emperor, drug trials are the fraudsters and the deception is being revealed by a growing body of critical opinion proposing that, once methodological problems with clinical trials are taken into account, antidepressants either do not work at all or have an effect that is so small as to be clinically unimportant (Andrews, 2001; Moncrieff, 2002). A large number of randomised placebo-controlled trials of antidepressants have been carried out over the past decades, mostly funded by the pharmaceutical industry, and it is now recognised that about 50% of negative trials go unpublished (Thase, 1999). Meanwhile, unipolar depression has jumped into the top five of the world's total burden of disease, and there is an imperative need for effective and safe treatments. Do we need more randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of antidepressant medications, or has that research paradigm outlived its usefulness? In this month's debate, Professor Gordon Parker, University of New South Wales and Black Dog Institute, Australia, and Drs Ian Anderson and Peter Haddad from the University of Manchester discuss whether clinical trials for antidepressant medication produce meaningless results.

Treatment of Depression

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Steinberg
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Multiple Risk Factors ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

Most depression in the elderly can be effectively treated in the primary care setting. Psychiatric referral should be considered in the setting of severe depression, suicidal ideation, prior suicide attempts, multiple risk factors, psychotic symptoms, bipolar disorder, poor response to prior treatment, or high medical comorbidity. Combining pharmacological and psychosocial interventions is most likely to be effective. Available antidepressants include serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, novel mechanism agents, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Antidepressant selection should take into account adverse effects, medical comorbidities, potential medication interactions, and patient preferences. Additional strategies (e.g. augmentation) are available for treatment resistant depression. Available psychotherapies include supportive, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and problem solving. Lifestyle interventions (e.g. exercise) may be helpful adjuncts. Given limited evidence for antidepressant treatment in cognitive impairment, for those with mild to moderate depression severity, non-pharmacological interventions should be attempted first.

Pharmacological Treatments for Unipolar Depression

2007 ◽  
pp. 271-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. Nemeroff ◽  
Alan F. Schatzberg
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Safety Margin ◽  
Antidepressant Medication ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Adverse Side Effect ◽  
Drug Induced

The treatment of unipolar major depression with antidepressant medication is well established on the basis of scores of randomized placebo-controlled trials involving thousands of patients. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were the first to be studied extensively; meta-analyses of placebo-controlled trials show them to be consistently and significantly more efficacious than a placebo. Because of a narrow safety margin and significant drug-induced adverse side effect problems, TCAs have now largely been replaced as the first-line treatment of depression by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram; serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)—venlafaxine and duloxetine; as well as other compounds, including, for example, bupropion and mirtazapine. Each of these agents has been shown to be superior to a placebo and as effective as comparator TCAs or SSRIs in controlled trials. Clinical trials consistently show them to be better tolerated than TCAs, and they clearly have a wider margin of safety. However, there is a controversy concerning whether TCAs are more effective than SSRIs for the treatment of the most severely ill depressed patients. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), while also more effective than placebo, have generally been reserved for treatment-refractory patients; however, a recently released transdermally delivered selegiline may be used in less refractory patients. It is now generally recognized that patients with recurrent major depression benefit from continued antidepressant treatment, and there is evidence that TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, and so forth are all effective for the long-term management of recurrent major depression. An important issue in evaluating the antidepressant literature is to distinguish between response rated as a reduction in the level of symptoms on a rating scale and response rated as true remission from illness.

Venlafaxine and duloxetine: A comparison of efficacy and tolerability for the treatment of depression in elderly patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 258-265
Author(s):  
Hugh Franck ◽  
Jonathan Potter ◽  
Joshua Caballero
Keyword(s):  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Extended Release ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
First Line ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Extended Release Formulations ◽  
Norepinephrine Reuptake

The geriatric population has a disproportionally higher rate of depression and related suicide compared to the general population. While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are considered first line, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly used. Online databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and CINAHL were searched (up to June 2013) to identify trials using SNRIs in the elderly. Results revealed 15 studies involving venlafaxine (n=10) and duloxetine (n=5) use in the elderly. Overall, venlafaxine and duloxetine appear to be similar in efficacy and tolerability in treating late life depression. However, venlafaxine has been more extensively studied in this particular population, appears to carry fewer drug interactions, and is available in generic forms for regular and extended-release formulations. Doses greater than 225 mg/day for venlafaxine or 60 mg/day for duloxetine appear to lead to greater discontinuation rates.

scholarly journals Patient adherence in the treatment of depression

2002 ◽  
Vol 180 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Pampallona ◽  
P. Bollini ◽  
G. Tibaldi ◽  
B. Kupelnick ◽  
C. Munizza
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Patient Adherence ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Review Criteria ◽  
Combined Interventions

BackgroundNon-adherence with antidepressant treatment is very common. Increasing adherence to pharmacological treatment may affect response rate.AimsTo review and summarise quantitative evidence on factors associated with adherence and of adherence-enhancing interventions.MethodA systematic review of computerised databases was carried out to identify quantitative studies of adherence in depression. Papers retained addressed unipolar depression and considered adherence as the primary end-point.ResultsOf studies published between 1973 and 1999, 32 met the review criteria: epidemiological descriptive studies (n=14): non-random comparisons of control and intervention groups (n=3); randomised interventions (n=14); and meta-analysis (n=1). Patient education and medication clinics were the interventions most commonly tested, combined with a variety of other interventions.ConclusionsThe studies did not give consistent indications of which interventions may be effective. Carefully designed clinical trials are needed to clarify the effect of single and combined interventions.

Severe Hyponatraemia Associated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

1995 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 147-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.C. Taylor ◽  
J.G. McConnell
Keyword(s):  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Major Advance ◽  
The Past ◽  
Specialist Referral ◽  
Severe Hyponatraemia ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

Depression in the elderly is a common problem, cited as occurring in up to 10% of elderly people living at home, half of whom may need specialist referral.1 The introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has been reported as a major advance in the treatment of depression in that they are less sedating, have fewer anticholinergic effects and are less toxic in overdose.2 We report three cases of severe hyponatraemia, seen in the past 12 months, associated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine and sertraline. Hyponatraemia has been reported as a rare adverse effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.3,4

scholarly journals Switch to Mania upon Discontinuation of Antidepressants in Patients with Mood Disorders: A Review of the Literature

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherese Ali ◽  
Roumen Milev
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressants ◽  
Drug Withdrawal ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Anticholinergic Drugs ◽  
Noradrenergic Hyperactivity ◽  
Monoaminergic System

Objective: To review the literature for reported cases of mania related to discontinuing antidepressant treatment, as well as for possible explanations of this phenomenon, and to present a case report. Method: We undertook a literature review through the PubMed index, using the key words mania, antidepressant withdrawal, and antidepressants in bipolar disorder. We reviewed 11 articles featuring 23 cases. Where available, we noted and tabulated certain parameters for both bipolar disorder (BD) and unipolar depression. We use a case example to illustrate the phenomenon of mania induced by antidepressant withdrawal. Results: For patients with unipolar depression, we found 17 reported cases of mania induced by antidepressant withdrawal. Antidepressants implicated included tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (12/17), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (2/17), trazodone (1/17), mirtazapine (1/17), and paroxetine (1/17). For patients with BD, we found 19 reported cases of mania induced by antidepressant withdrawal, including our own case example. Of these, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (10/19), TCAs (4/19), MAOIs (2/19), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibiors (SNRIs) (2/19) were implicated. Conclusion: Our case report supports the observation of antidepressant withdrawal–induced mania in patients with BD. It is distinguishable from antidepressant-induced mania, physiological drug withdrawal, and mania as a natural course of the illness. Many theories have been put forward to explain this occurrence. Noradrenergic hyperactivity and “withdrawal-induced cholinergic overdrive and the cholinergic-monoaminergic system” are the 2 most investigated and supported models. The former is limited by poor clinical correlation and the latter by its applicability only to anticholinergic drugs.

scholarly journals DEPRESSION - TYPES AND TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

10.23856/3216 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-130
Author(s):  
Bartosz Wanot ◽  
Barbara Szczygieł ◽  
Wojciech Wanot ◽  
Mariana Magerčiaková
Keyword(s):  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Winter Depression ◽  
Noradrenaline Reuptake ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Oxidase Enzyme ◽  
Somatic Diseases ◽  
New Generation

The key symptom of depression is lowering the mood, but this is not the only sign of depression. Depression is a disease in which the symptoms reach various intensities and occur in many configurations. We distinguish the following types of depression: reactive, endogenous, neurotic, anankastic, agitated, large and small, morning (subclinical and subliminal), seasonal, masked, psychotic, postpartum, drug resistant, in children and adolescents, in the elderly, involutional, organic , in bipolar disorder, dysthymia, depression and anxiety, and in somatic diseases. Psychotherapy is now a popular and effective method of treating depression. The effects of treatment after the use of antidepressants appear only after a few weeks from the beginning of therapy. Old-generation medicines: these are tricyclic antidepressants (TLPDs), inhibitors of neuromediator reuptake and monoamine oxidase enzyme (IMAO) inhibitors. The new generation of drugs is distinguished by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), four-ring drugs, noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, selective reversible MAO inhibitors, and drugs with other mechanisms of action. Phototherapy (treatment of light) is currently a widely accepted method of winter depression therapy. Other treatments for depression include electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

scholarly journals Antidepressant Treatment of Depression in the Elderly: Efficacy and Safety Considerations

2021 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Trevor R Norman ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Antidepressant Efficacy ◽  
Safety Considerations

Depression in the elderly is a significant clinical problem which is likely to endure as an ongoing issue as the cohort of individuals aged over 65years continues to increase as a proportion of the total population. While there are a multiplicity of approaches to the treatment of depression, the mainstay for moderate to severe cases is pharmacotherapy. The majority of extant antidepressants have demonstrated efficacy, at least in short term (6-12weeks) clinical evaluations. There is demonstrable efficacy over and above that of placebo in the majority of clinical trials for most agents. Within the classes of antidepressants there is no difference between individual agents, while between classes differences have not been demonstrated consistently. Thus, there appears to be little to choose between the various agents. However, considerations other than efficacy play a role in the choice of an antidepressant for an individual patient. A systematic review of the efficacy of antidepressant agents based on trials in elderly populations is presented. Factors influencing the choice of a medication over and above efficacy are presented along with a brief review of adverse events of particular concern in elderly patients. A considerable proportion of elderly patients have comorbid medical conditions, which may also influence the choice of agent due to drug-drug interaction considerations. A brief overview of interactions likely to influence medication selection is also canvassed. While there is every reason to be optimistic about outcomes in elderly patients, there are still unanswered questions about antidepressant efficacy in this population: effectiveness in long-term treatment and in the population of so-called ‘old-old’ elderly are principal among them.

Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of depression in advanced disease

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Hotopf
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
Key Issues

Depression in palliative care is common, under-recognised and has significant impacts for sufferers. There are effective treatments but often a shortage of staff to provide them. This chapter sets out a number of key issues to consider when assessing and treating individual patients and considers the way in which palliative care services can innovate to provide a population level response to depression. Palliative care staff can be trained to deliver basic depression care and follow simple protocols to initiate, monitor and adjust antidepressant treatment. These approaches have been tested in trials in cancer care but the challenge is to take these approaches from research trials conducted in centres of excellence with good resources, to other settings.

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