Methylphenidate in a patient with depression and respiratory insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
We report a case of severe depression in an elderly and critically ill patient with multiple medical complications who was treated with a combination of methylphenidate and sertraline. The objective of this report is to outline the usefulness of methylphenidate as an antidepressant in a patient with respiratory insufficiency.


METHODS
Case description.


RESULTS
The patient had a positive clinical response with initial mental confusion due to methylphenidate. An initial dose of 2.5 mg/day allowed antidepressant response and improvement of respiratory function permitting the removal of mechanical ventilation.


CONCLUSIONS
Methylphenidate may be useful for patients with severe medical conditions including ventilatory insufficiency.
Ayache
D C
DC
Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Junior
R F
RF
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate; D020280:Sertraline