SSRIs considered to have the best safety profile in the elderly are citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline. [16] These have the lowest potential for drug-drug interactions based on their cytochrome P-450 interactions.

What is the mildest and safest antidepressant?

Bupropion, citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline were better tolerated than the other antidepressants. Escitalopram and sertraline were found to have the best combination of efficacy and acceptability.

What is the most tolerated antidepressant?

When the researchers checked which depression drugs were tolerated the best, these topped the list:

• Celexa (citalopram)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Trintellix (vortioxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)

What is the safest anxiety medication for seniors?

Buspirone is an anti-anxiety drug that has been shown to be effective for older adults. Benzodiazepines, another anti-anxiety drug, are effective but should be prescribed carefully to older adults because of risk of memory impairment, unsteadiness, and falls.

Why is amitriptyline not recommended for seniors?

Tertiary amine tricyclics such as amitriptyline and imipramine have been reported to be effective in depressed geriatric patients, but because of their potential for side effects, it is not advisable to use them in the elderly.

What is the best antidepressant for seniors?

SSRIs considered to have the best safety profile in the elderly are citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline.

Which antidepressant has the least amount of side effects?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications generally cause fewer bothersome side effects and are less likely to cause problems at higher therapeutic doses than other types of antidepressants are.

What is the mildest anti anxiety med?

Buspirone, also known by the brand name BuSpar, is a newer anti-anxiety drug that acts as a mild tranquilizer. Buspirone relieves anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain—as the SSRIs do—and decreasing dopamine. Compared to benzodiazepines, buspirone is slow acting—taking about two weeks to start working.

Which is better Wellbutrin or Zoloft?

Is Wellbutrin or Zoloft better? Multiple studies have shown Wellbutrin and Zoloft to be relatively comparable in achieving remission of depression symptoms. Wellbutrin may be favored over Zoloft due to the fact that its side effect profile is less severe.

Is Zoloft safe for senior citizens?

Sertraline is generally well tolerated in elderly patients with major depressive disorder and lacks the marked anticholinergic effects that characterise the adverse event profiles of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Is Wellbutrin Safe for elderly?

PARIS, FRANCE — September 20, 2006 — Once-daily use of an extended-release formulation of bupropion (Wellbutrin XL(R)) is both efficacious and safe in elderly patients with major depressive disorder, according to a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, flexible-dose, placebo-controlled trial.

Is Zoloft OK for seniors?

Sertraline is generally safe, well tolerated and convenient to prescribe for elderly patients. Ongoing research is studying the use of sertraline in the treatment of geriatric depression and other psychiatric conditions.

Is Paxil safe for seniors?

Per the 2015 American Geriatrics Society Updated Beers Criteria, paroxetine is a strong anticholinergic and is considered potentially inappropriate for elderly patients with dementia and cognitive impairment.

Is Remeron safe for elderly?

Mirtazapine is clearly better tolerated than tricyclic agents and is appropriate for some geriatric patients. Mirtazapine may be especially helpful in those who need a sedating agent or in patients who need to gain weight. An increase in appetite was reported in 17 percent of patients taking mirtazapine.

Is Cymbalta safe for elderly?

Conclusions: Duloxetine improved cognition, depression, and some pain measures and was safe and well tolerated in elderly patients with recurrent major depressive disorder.