["Lithium in the treatment of old age depression. What are the pros and cons?"]

OBJECTIVE: Augmentation with lithium is one of the treatment options in therapy-resistant depression. This review presents the current data concerning the use of lithium in elderly patients with unipolar depression.

METHOD: Through a selective literature search in the database PubMed, 15 relevant articles were identified and included.

RESULTS: Both the clinical trials and reviews report in favor of lithium augmentation in elderly patients. Remission rates and response rates are high. Kidney damage, a feared side effect, is rarely seen. Even over longer periods of use, lithium is effective; however, close monitoring under laboratory tests must be carried out.

CONCLUSION: Lithium represents an effective drug in the treatment of unipolar old age depression. Its use in daily clinical practice is therefore highly recommended.