Methylphenidate augmentation of citalopram in elderly depressed patients

The authors followed 10 elderly depressed patients (mean age = 79.8 years; in an open trial of methylphenidate (MPH) augmentation of citalopram used t o accelerate and enhance their antidepressant response. Eight of the 10 pat ients demonstrated clinically significant improvement by Week 8. Four of th e seven patients with augmentation initiated during the first week of treat ment with citalopram met the criteria for rapid response at Week No patient discontinued treatment These preliminary, observations suggest that a comb ination of MPH and citalopram may be an effective, relatively well tolerate d treatment in this patient population and may accelerate onset of action. However patients may require dosage adjustment for tolerability of this com bination.