Abstract
Depression is common among the elderly, and several factors need to be taken into account in selecting the appropriate antidepressant in this age group. Various physiologic changes occur in individuals as they age, potentially leading to changes in the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of drugs in elderly individuals. The efficacy of various medications, their side-effect profiles, and the potential for drug-drug interactions may differ in older patients compared to younger ones. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are seen as being among the first-line agents for treatment of depression in elderly patients, have been shown to be effective but carry with them side effects and drug-drug interactions that warrant special attention when these medications are prescribed to older individuals. This review focuses on the pharmacology of SSRIs in elderly patients and on practical issues related to using these medications.