Remeron / mirtazapine effective, safe for the elderly ...

Remeron / mirtazapine effective, safe for the elderly

STANFORD, Calif. - Depression is a major about 6 percent of Americans over 65 medical problem, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In the treatment of these patients have psychiatrist to need drugs associated with the increased sensitivity of the patient, the side effects with the medications and possible interactions to compensate quickly and effectively deal with depression. The stakes are high: The elderly are in young and elderly patients with depression more prone to suicide are more likely than non-depressive suffering from other serious diseases colleagues.

Well, a multicenter, phase IV study of Professor of Medicine at Stanford University Alan Schatzberg, MD led, showed that antidepressant mirtazapine called works much faster, more effective and has fewer side effects makes more paroxetine patients, other commonly prescribed antidepressants. The research is the first direct comparison of the two drugs in the treatment of elderly patients with major depression.

"It's very rare to see clearly a better than another drug," Schatzberg, of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford chairs. "But what we find here is that mirtazapine was faster effect and leads to better overall results in the first six weeks of treatment with paroxetine." He will present the research on May 6 at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, New Orleans, Louisiana

With quick work of medications is important for people who suffer from depression, especially in elderly patients. However, most types of antidepressants in the body for several weeks should gather before the start of the relief of symptoms of depression.

"A major problem in the treatment of depression problem is that patients give up because they have side effects or that they do not always feel better - there is a perceived lack of" efficiency, Schatzberg. "Drugs that act faster and better tolerated are usually with the patient to continue treatment to be assigned."

The study showed that after one week of treatment, patients who have experienced with mirtazapine significantly more often an improvement in their symptoms. Were also less likely than patients receiving paroxetine treatment end prematurely.

In addition, mirtazapine was more effective than paroxetine, particularly in combating anxiety and increased sleep is often seen in elderly patients with depression. Mirtazapine patients were also less likely to discontinue treatment due to adverse side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, dry mouth and fatigue.

Schatzberg, who noted that mirtazapine was well tolerated by the patients in the study "After an antidepressant that works for this patient population -. Acts and would quickly be a great asset for the region to be" "Low risk of drug interactions mirtazapine and cardiovascular complications may be the optimal treatment of depression in the elderly."

Mirtazapine effects by increasing the release of norepinephrine directly or indirectly by increasing the release of serotonin in the brain. Norepinephrine and serotonin are neurotransmitters - chemicals that transmit signals from one nerve cell to another. However Paroxetine belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. These drugs enhance the effects of serotonin by increasing the amount of time remaining in neuronal synapses. Paroxetine may also be able to easily enhance the release of norepinephrine.

Schatzberg and researchers from 17 other centers across the country have the effect of the two drugs in 255 patients who had at least 65 seeking. The study was randomized, double-blind, and each patient was treated eight weeks. Mirtazapine is marketed by Organon Inc. under the trade name REMERON SolTab. Paroxetine is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline under the trade name Paxil. The study was supported financially by Organon, Inc.

Stanford ---

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