Fluoxetine discontinuation in elderly dysthymic patients.

Abstract

A group of 23 elderly outpatients with dysthymic disorder participated in a 13-week fluoxetine trial. Twelve responders received open continuation treatment and subsequently discontinued fluoxetine (mean: 32 weeks on medication). During the 24 weeks after discontinuation, 6 of the 12 patients relapsed. Clinical features, dose, and duration of fluoxetine treatment were not predictive of relapse. The 50% relapse rate in this small sample is lower than that reported in young adult dysthymic patients but is high enough to warrant clinical caution.

• Authors: D P Devanand, M K Kim, M S Nobler
• Journal: The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 83-7 ( 1997) ISSN: 1064-7481 [Print] England
• PMID: 9169249 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
• Fluoxetine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Ambulatory Care
• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Dysthymic Disorder (drug therapy, psychology)
• Female
• Fluoxetine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Recurrence
• Risk Factors
• Single-Blind Method
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (etiology)