Pharmacotherapy of Depression in Cancer Patients

  • Peter Fitzgerald
  • Madeline Li
  • Luigi Grassi
  • Gary Rodin
Chapter
First Online:

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy is an important component of treatment for more severe and persistent depression in patients with cancer and advanced disease. The initiation of such treatment should follow a careful diagnostic assessment, and the choice of an antidepressant should be based upon the symptom profile of the patient, the antidepressant side-effect profile, and the least potential for interaction with chemotherapy and other medications. Although an antidepressant medication with a rapid onset of action is desirable in this population, psychostimulants and other such agents have not been shown to be effective. Psychotherapy should typically be provided in conjunction with pharmacotherapy and, in the case of minor depression, may be the sole therapeutic modality. This includes attentive psychoeducation on common concerns about antidepressants expressed by medical patients, in order to ensure safety and enhance compliance.

Keywords

Antidepressant Medication Minor Depression Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor Discontinuation Syndrome Endoxifen Level 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Peter Fitzgerald
    • 1
  • Madeline Li
    • 1
  • Luigi Grassi
    • 2
  • Gary Rodin
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Psychosocial Oncology & Palliative Care, Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
  2. 2.Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Speciality Surgical SciencesUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly

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