Pharmacotherapy for Late-Life Depression with Psychotic Features: A Review of Literature of Randomized Control Trials

Depression in not uncommon in late life. Psychotic depression, a more severe form of depression is more common in late life than younger patients. Data indicate that approximately 25% of patients with depression in late life present with psychotic symptoms. In this review, we systematically searched four main databases; EMBASE, PsychINFO, Medline and Cochrane Collaboration on the pharmacotherapy of late life depression with psychotic features. Data for the treatment of psychotic depression in late life are scares although available evidence indicates efficacy for antidepressants, antipsychotic medications and mifepristone and electroconvulsive therapy. Based on the available evidence, we have provided a guideline for the appropriate treatment of this important disorder thus preventing undue suffering to the patients and their families.