Preventing drug interactions with antidepressants in the elderly

Abstract

With the progressive aging of the population, late-life depression will increase in importance as a public health problem and prescriptions of antidepressants will presumably grow, thus enhancing the likelihood of drug interactions. After considering the general mechanisms and the various factors predisposing elderly subjects to drug interactions, the interaction potential for each class of antidepressant drugs will be examined, in order to help the prescribing physician in the selection of the most appropriate agent for an elderly patient receiving concomitant medications. Some general recommendations to prevent or minimize the occurrence of adverse drug interactions in elderly patients with depression will be given. Potential intervention strategies, targeted to adequately supply health professionals with information on the risks of clinically relevant drug interactions, are discussed in depth.