Around 10–15% of older Australians living in the community experience symptoms of depression at any given time, but rates are often underreported due to stigma and diagnostic challenges.
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in Australians aged 65 and over, linked to reduced quality of life, increased functional decline, and higher mortality.
While antidepressants can improve symptoms and functioning, their use in older adults presents unique challenges, including increased susceptibility to side effects, polypharmacy interactions, and age-related changes in drug metabolism. Despite these considerations, antidepressants remain under- or inappropriately used, with prescribing often complicated by misconceptions about efficacy in late-life depression, inconsistent clinical guidance, and gaps in monitoring for adverse effects.
Improved screening for depression, regular medication review, patient and carer education, and greater understanding of the balance between benefits and risks are crucial to optimise treatment outcomes in this population.
This special edition of check, developed by the QUM Alliance, examines the safe and effective use of antidepressants in older adults, featuring a range of clinical scenarios addressing initiation, monitoring, deprescribing, and management of comorbidities.
