Anti depressants- sertraline - in elderly

[tobee]

Anyone got any experience of this?

Dm is in rehabilitation hospital after a leg break and normal hospital before that,

She’s quite down but puts on a reasonably good front most of the time. She has bad mobility issues normally and looks after my dad who has dementia. She’s always been a quite pessimistic person but her and dad’s health concerns and her reduced life has made it a bit worse.
My dd and one of my dnephews are on it but my dsis today mentioned her elderly fil is on it and it’s made a big difference to him. Dsis suggested it for our dm today. I think dm would be interested.

Dm is 89 with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and blood thinners. She had a small stroke last year. Obviously sertraline is just one anti depressant and a doctor would know whether it was suitable for dm.

Df is 81 and takes it on a low dose along with various medications

My mum took it for several years having had periods of really severe depression at various times. Moved to it from citalopram. She had dementia and when the GP reduced her medication as she moved to more palliative care, it was one that she continued along with a blood thinner and BP medication. She did well on it despite being bed bound and losing my dad. Her mood was level until she died earlier this year.

@tobee

From NHS

Sertraline is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if you have:

• diabetes
• epilepsy
• heart disease
• glaucoma
• a bleeding disorder (particularly bleeding in the digestive system)

Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions.

My Mum is in early stages of dementia and has been on Sertraline for about a year. It has been really effective in terms of improving her mood. But she has no other underlying health conditions.

It’s commonly prescribed in all ages and I often see people in their 80s and 90s or with dementia taking it.

Thank you @Alicorn1707for that info.

And thank you everyone else. Obviously need to talk with her and with the doctors.