“Should antidepressant medication be used in the elderly?”
My grandfather has depression. Should antidepressant medication be used in the elderly?
3 Answers
Yes, it can be used in the elderly but with many precautions and under the care of a geriatric psychiatrist if possible. The so-called tricyclic antidepressants (Imipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline, etc.) *should not be used *in the elderly.
On small dose trial.
This is a complex question. In general yes, however one must get a complete history and sometimes a physical exam. Certainly one must take an elderly patient's other current medications and supplements into consideration. Dr. Summers
