Paroxetine Treatment of Depression in Late Life

The elderly population is growing at a rapid rate and currently constitutes more than 12% of the United States’ population. Within the next 30 years, the number of elderly persons is expected to more than double, creating a concerning situation regarding provision of healthcare services. Depression is a prevalent and underrecognized disorder in older adults and is associated with both increased healthcare utilization and suicide. Treatment of depression improves quality of life and reduces functional decline and suicidal ideation. Maintenance therapy for depression is commonly overlooked and must be emphasized for management of depression in elderly patients. First-line treatment options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), one of which, paroxetine, has been studied extensively in older adults. The findings of studies that have evaluated the efficacy of paroxetine demonstrate successful treatment of depression and long-term relapse prevention in this population. With the significant personal and societal burden that is associated with major depression in the elderly, appropriate treatment is important and must be incorporated into standard practices by healthcare professionals.