[Depression in the elderly. Medical treatment].
THE ADVENT OF DRUG THERAPY: In 1957, the advent of two compounds caught the attention of clinicians and psychopharmacologist: G 22355 or Tofranil, the leading drug in the tricyclic family, and iproniazid or Marsilid, a non-sedative monoamine oxidase inhibitor. WHAT IS AN ANTIDEPRESSOR DRUG?: Antidepressor drugs are not effective in all domains simultaneously: it takes 7 to 10 days before an effective equilibrium of mood is reached. Adverse effects often occur earlier, but generally fade out or are well tolerated when the antidepressor effect becomes patent. CASE-BY-CASE PRESCRIPTION: Twenty-four different antidepressor drugs are available in France, classed among imipramines, non-imipramines and non IMAO, serotonine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, and specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Each class has its own contraindications, adverse effects and precautions for use. Normothymic drugs and mood' regulators are a separate category that constitute considerable progress for the treatment of relapse and recurrent depression.
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Secteur 84.G.02, Centre Hospitalier de Montfavet, 2, avenue de la Pinède, BP 92, F 84128 Montfavet.
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence
D000928:Antidepressive Agents