Aging and clinical pharmacology: implications for antidepressants.
The elderly frequently have changes in pharmacokinetics, sensitivity to medications, homeostatic reserve (ability to tolerate physiological challenges), exposure to multiple medications, and adherence. All of these age-associated factors can potentially influence total exposure to medication, adverse effects, and subsequent treatment outcome. Most clinical trials are performed with healthy, younger adults. Extrapolating the results of these trials to the elderly may be inappropriate, particularly for the antidepressant treatment of depression. The authors review these age-associated differences and discuss their implications for antidepressant use in older adults.
Lotrich
Francis E
FE
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. lotrichfe@upmc.edu
Pollock
Bruce G
BG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010601:Pharmacology, Clinical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System