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.
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.
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.
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
The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance a consortium of eight health and consumer organisations, will align their work across the two grants, awarded under the Australian Government’s Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) Program.
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The Huddle is your space to pause, reflect and grow as a nurse. Whether you’re on your commute, in the tea room, or walking the dog, each episode is designed to bring you practical insights, clinical reasoning tips, and stories from the frontline of nursing.