Weight change in older depressed patients during acute pharmacotherapy with paroxetine and nortriptyline - A double-blind randomized trial

The authors examined weight change in 32 elderly patients treated for 12 we eks with either nortriptyline or paroxetine during acute-phase pharmacother apy. Random assignment to treatment and double-blind assessment of weight c hange were performed, including ascertainment of premorbid (i.e., pre-depre ssion) weight. Pretreatment severity of depression was correlated with weig ht loss during the depressive episode and depression-related weight Loss, i n turn, correlated with weight regained during antidepressant treatment. Th ere was no differential weight change associated with nor triptyline vs. pa roxetine. Rather subjects in both groups approximated their premorbid weigh ts by 12 weeks of acute-phase pharmacotherapy with either agent However add itional investigation of weight change during continuation and maintenance pharmacotherapy is necessary and would be clinically useful for the long-te rm management of elderly patients with depression.