title: Depression in the elderly: pharmacologic considerations in treatment.
abstract: The pharmacologic treatment of depression in the aged is complicated by an increased frequency of concurrent medical disease and multiple drug use. In addition, age-related physiologic changes may alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the antidepressant medications. As a consequence, the variability of response and the incidence of adverse effects are increased in the elderly. The clinical implications of these factors and guidelines for the use of antidepressants in the elderly are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008376:Maprotiline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D008376:Maprotiline