Prescribing with care: antidepressants and mental health in older adults

Antidepressants in older adults: balancing benefits, risks, and alternatives

As our population ages, managing mental health in older adults becomes increasingly important. Anxiety and depression are common but require careful treatment decisions. In a recent podcast, Dr Kate Annear speaks with Dr Paresh Dawda, a respected GP, academic, and educator, to explore the role of antidepressants in managing these conditions, including their risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Are antidepressants always the right choice?

While antidepressants can be effective, their use in older adults presents challenges such as polypharmacy, increased sensitivity to side effects, and medication interactions. Dr Annear and Dr Dawda discuss whether primary care may rely too heavily on these medications due to time constraints and limited alternative options.

Setting expectations and deprescribing

Many assume antidepressants are a lifelong solution, but deprescribing is sometimes necessary. Key strategies include shared decision-making, gradual dose reduction, and ongoing support.

For further information on weighing the risks and benefits of antidepressants, alternative management strategies, and deprescribing approaches, visit QHUB - Antidepressants Clinical Resources & Tools.

Listen to the full conversation

For expert insights, listen to the full podcast featuring Dr Kate Annear and Dr Paresh Dawda. This podcast is available for 0.5 CPD hours and is designed for multidisciplinary health professionals in primary care.

For more free Quality Use of Medicines education, check out QHUB on Medcast