Antidepressants in older persons.

In older persons with depression, three classes of antidepressants are equally effective: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and tricyclic-like compounds. More patients taking classic tricyclic antidepressants stopped their medications because of adverse events than did those taking SSRIs. Tricyclic-like medications had withdrawal rates similar to SSRIs, but the studies were small. The strongest evidence supports using SSRIs as first-line pharmacotherapy in older patients with depression.