Abstract
The author shortly recapitulates contemporary findings on late - life depression - diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis and epidemiological data. Late-life depression is often underrecognised and undertreatment.
Efficacy and safety of antidepressants (according to clasess) are reviewed including side effects. The selection of antidepressant medication depends on variety considerations specific for old population: drugs for concomitant diseases, differences in pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, safety in the overdose and patientś clinical status.
To date, published clinical evidence suggests that first - choice agents for treating late-life depression are specific serotonin reuptake inhbitors (SSRI). Non-pharmacological treatments include psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy