What is the best antidepressant for an elderly person?
SSRIs considered to have the best safety profile in the elderly are citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline.
Which antidepressant should be avoided in elderly?
Tricyclic antidepressants, especially amitriptyline and dothiepin,16 are known to pose a high risk of death in overdosage. These drugs should therefore be avoided in older people whose medication is not supervised and who are at risk of taking an overdose.
What helps elderly with anxiety?
Here Are 10 Ways to Relieve Anxiety Feelings in Seniors
- Breathing Exercises. Deep breathing is a great way to manage the physiological symptoms of anxiety.
- Mindfulness.
- Physical Activity.
- Diet Changes.
- Social Interaction.
- Routines.
- Sleep Hygiene.
- Relaxing Hobbies.
Is Paxil good for the elderly?
The pharmacology of paroxetine (a short half-life and lack of active metabolites) suggests that it is a particularly useful medication for the depressed elderly. References NIH Concensus Development Panel on Depression in Late Life: Diagnosis and treatment of depression in late life.
Is Paxil safe for the elderly?
However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults, and are more likely to have hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood), which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving paroxetine.
Is Zoloft good for elderly?
Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with well established antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. Results from several well designed trials show that sertraline (50-200 mg/day) is effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder in elderly patients (> or =60 years of age).
Should seniors take antidepressants?
Studies have found that while antidepressants can be helpful in older adults, they may not always be as effective as in younger patients. Also, the risk of side effects or potential reactions with other medicines must be carefully considered.
Why is Paxil not recommended for seniors?
Paroxetine has strong anticholinergic and sedative properties, which can lead to negative effects on cognition. Anticholinergic medications such as paroxetine are often considered potentially inappropriate for the elderly patients with dementia and cognitive impairment.