Hyponatremia: old age and antidepressants

Abstract

Antidepressants are medications that are used frequently in older adults. Among them, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors stand out for their safety profile. Hyponatremia is a potentially serious effect linked to the use of these as well as other antidepressants. Older adults constitute a population susceptible to presenting hyponatremia secondary to the use of these psychotropic drugs. Its prevalence is variable, from 0.5 to 32%. As a problem it is relativized or not taken into account. The objective of the work is to locate the problem of hyponatremia in relation to the use of antidepressants in the elderly population; as well as developing clinical and psychiatric aspects linked to the practice.