Reference no: EM133732171

Problem

Prescribing for Older Adults Depression poses a considerable challenge to the well-being of older adults, significantly impacting their quality of life. Given the growing elderly population and the prevalence of depression as the most frequent mental health issue among this demographic population, investigating the effectiveness of depression treatments for older adults holds particular significance (Werson et al., 2022). While it is recognized that most adults prefer psychological approaches to the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, the American Psychological Association (APA) (2019) recommends the use of second-generation antidepressants on account of their low risk of side effects. One such is Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride), an FDA-approved selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with proven clinical efficacy in treating MDD in adults (Food and Drug Administration, n.d.). In older adults, sertraline is preferable as it is a simple SSRI compared to others, such as paroxetine, that have higher chances of drug interactions or off-target cardiac conduction, antihistaminergic, or anticholinergic effects (Lenze & Oughli, 2019). Zoloft is available for oral use in scored tablets containing sertraline hydrochloride in amounts equivalent to 25, 50, and 100 mg of sertraline, which can be titrated as required through careful monitoring of the patient's response to the treatment?