-Abstract-
Geriatric depression is nowadays a predominant health care problem, mainly due to the
progressive aging of the population. But depression in the elderly is often
under-recognized and under-treated ; this may be due to the mistake, both from the
clinicians and from the patients, of considering depression as a physiological response to
aging. The difficulties in diagnosing depression may lead to unnecessary medical
investigation, delay in treatment and an increase risk of suicide. When faced with
making treatment decisions for a patient with late-life depression, one must consider a
number of variables. The main of a pharmacological treatment of geriatric depression is
not only to resolve the acute episode, but also to prevent relapse and to enhance the
quality of life in the elderly. In this paper, some of the most important and tolerated
drugs in the elderly are reviewed. As clinicians, we are responsible for selecting the
best medication treatment for a given patient. The more comprehensive our Knowledge
about the patient and about the efficacy profile and short-and long-term side effects of
antidepressants, the more effectively we will treat late-life depression.
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