Effective low dose tricyclic antidepressant treatment for depressed geriatric rehabilitation patients. A double-blind study.
The efficacy of low doses (10 to 20 mg daily) of doxepin in the treatment of depressive disorders in elderly inpatients was assessed by a double-blind study in 24 patients. The patients were treated for a three-week period to test for an early response. The Hamilton Depression Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale were used to quantify symptoms of depression. The patients treated with doxepin had a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms than did those who received a placebo. No side effects were found and there were no major differences in the degree of physical dependency between the doxepin and placebo groups. A depressive disorder is a common occurrence among elderly inpatients and the effectiveness of low dose doxepin therapy without demonstrable side effects argues for the active treatment for this condition.
Lakshmanan
M
M
Mion
L C
LC
Frengley
J D
JD
D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004316:Doxepin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000523:psychology*; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D004316:Doxepin