Many American seniors begin taking antidepressants while on medications with contraindications, according to a new study. Because of side effects, many then stop taking the antidepressants.
Among American seniors who were first-time antidepressant takers, more than half started taking them while on other contraindicated drugs, according to a study conducted by Thomson Reuters, the University of Southern California and drug maker Sanofi-Aventis. Due to resulting side effects, one-quarter of the patients discontinued the antidepressant.
The investigators used information from a database of Medicare claims, where they discovered that 39,000 patients started taking antidepressants between 2001 and 2006. More than 25% of these patients took antidepressants in addition to other medications that could cause major drug interactions.
Thirty-six percent of these patients were prescribed antidepressants while taking other medications that could cause moderate reactions. A total 45% of seniors who reported side effects nonetheless refilled their prescriptions. Study results were published online in The American Journal of General Psychiatry.
From the February 01, 2011 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
