antidepressant therapy in the elderly

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18 THERAPY The results of a study by the Old Age Depression Interest Group suggest that medication should be continued for at least 2 years after recovery from an index episode in those elderly patients who are suitable for monotherapy with tricyclic anti- depressants. The authors suggest that these findings support the argument for recommending indefinite continuation of antidepressant therapy in these patients. The 2-year trial showed that patients taking dothiepin were 2.5 times more likely to remain well than those patients taking placebo. Old Age Depression Inten:st Group. How 10lIl sbouId Ibc: elderly take antidepressants? A double-blind pIacebo-roolrOlIed study of contiDlWioalpropbylaxis therapy with dotbiepin. British Journal of Psyc:bWry 162: 17S-182. Feb 1993 100'.19

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Page 1: Antidepressant therapy in the elderly

18 THERAPY

The results of a study by the Old Age Depression Interest Group suggest that medication should be continued for at least 2 years after recovery from an index episode in those elderly patients who are suitable for monotherapy with tricyclic anti­depressants.

The authors suggest that these findings support the argument for recommending indefinite continuation of antidepressant therapy in these patients. The 2-year trial showed that patients taking dothiepin were 2.5 times more likely to remain well than those patients taking placebo. Old Age Depression Inten:st Group. How 10lIl sbouId Ibc: elderly take antidepressants? A double-blind pIacebo-roolrOlIed study of contiDlWioalpropbylaxis therapy with dotbiepin. British Journal of Psyc:bWry 162: 17S-182. Feb 1993 100'.19