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Agomelatine in elderly--finally a patient friendly antidepressant in psychogeriatry?
1Mental Hospital in Kromeriz, Czech Republic. luznyj@plkm.cz
Background:
Geriatric depression is a serious psychiatric conditions with prevalence from 10–40% in community living seniors. Polymorbidity and potential vulnerability of seniors towards medication is a challenge for seeking newer, well tolerated antidepressant with good clinical efficiency and safety. Agomelatine is new promising antidepressant which could fulfill these criteria.
Objective:
Evaluation of effectiveness, safety and side effects of agomelatine used for treatment senior patients with major depression hospitalized in inpatient psychogeriatric ward in Mental hospital in Kromeriz (2010-2011).
Methods:
Psychiatric scales Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were used initially before starting with agomelatine treatment, then after 4 and 8 weeks and finally after 12 weeks of using agomelatine. Potential side effects caused by agomelatine (side effects according AISL databasis--Automatized Information system of Registered Drugs in the Czech republic) were monitored after 12 weeks of treatment with agomelatine.
Results:
While treating major depression in seniors with agomelatine, decrease in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) was evident after 4 weeks of treatment and continued constantly after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. Clinical remission was achieved in all studied patients.
Conclusion:
Agomelatine proved excellent efficiency in treating severe major depression in seniors with no serious averse effects.
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