Should atypical antipsychotics be used to treat depressed elderly?
It has been clear for a long time that antipsychotics are useful for some symptoms of depression. Four of the conventional antipsychotics are Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in depression, although they are seldom used now for that purpose. The older drugs have fallen out of use now because of the risk of tardive dyskinesia and especially since the risk of tardive dyskinesia is even higher in depressed patients. Some of the more severe side-effect or safety issues associated with current atypical antipsychotics may also lead to some hesitancy about their use. They are also much more costly than antidepressants. On the other hand, atypical antipsychotics are preferred for managing certain kinds of symptoms, such as agitation and psychotic depression.
Related Questions
- Do atypical antipsychotics effectively treat co-occurring bipolar disorder and stimulant dependence?
- Do atypical antipsychotics effectively treat co-occurring bipolar disorder and stimulant dependence?
- Can CK be used to treat over- or under-correction from LASIK or other refractive procedures?
- Should atypical antipsychotics be used to treat depressed elderly?
- Why Are Atypical Antipsychotics Used?
- Why Are Atypical Antipsychotics Used?
