Chapter 9

Antidepressants

Juan Medrano

Abstract

Antidepressants are drugs used for the treatment of depression and many other psychiatric conditions. Albeit belonging to different chemical families and with a number of mechanisms of action, all of them enhance neurotransmitters at the synaptic cleft. They have a range of adverse effects and effectiveness compared with placebo, according to meta-analysis. However, they have shown to be efficacious in the elderly. Second-generation antidepressants are safer and better tolerated, but not devoid of side effects, something not to be forgotten when treating a population in which frailty and polypharmacy are common.

Total Pages: 187-216 (30)

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