Effects of mianserin in depression in elderly patients

Abstract

SummaryEleven elderly in-patients {mean age 70 years, range 57 to 82 years) diagnosed as having an organic depressive disorder were treated with mianserin for 28 days. Mean dosage initially was 28 mg per day and this was increased gradually to 43 mg per day during the study period. Assessments of response to treatment, using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Clinical Global Impressions scale, showed that only 2 patients failed to improve and this was reflected in the marked reduction from baseline values in the mean Hamilton rating scores. Few side-effects or significant changes in blood chemical or haematological parameters were reported. The results suggest, therefore, that mianserin is an effective and well-tolerated form of anti-depressive therapy in the elderly.