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[Depression in the elderly. Medical treatment]
1Secteur 84.G.02, Centre Hospitalier de Montfavet, 2, avenue de la Pinède, BP 92, F 84128 Montfavet.
Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983)
|March 27, 2001
Summary
The development of antidepressant drugs began in 1957 with tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Antidepressants require time to become effective, with side effects often appearing before mood improvement.
Area of Science:
- Psychopharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Medicine
Context:
- The 1957 introduction of Tofranil (tricyclic) and Marsilid (MAOI) marked a significant advancement in psychiatric drug therapy.
- Antidepressant efficacy involves a delayed onset of action (7-10 days) for mood stabilization, with adverse effects often preceding therapeutic benefits.
Purpose:
- To provide an overview of antidepressant drug classes and their therapeutic considerations.
- To highlight the historical development and pharmacological principles of antidepressant medications.
Summary:
- Antidepressant drugs, including tricyclics, non-IMAOs, and SSRIs, necessitate a careful, case-by-case prescription approach.
- Available antidepressant classes (imipramines, non-imipramines, SRI, SNRI) have distinct contraindications, side effects, and usage precautions.
- Normothymic drugs and mood stabilizers represent a distinct therapeutic category for managing recurrent depression.
Impact:
- Understanding the nuances of antidepressant action and adverse effects is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
- The availability of diverse antidepressant classes and mood stabilizers offers improved treatment strategies for various depressive disorders.