Question

Which of the following medications used to treat depressive disorder can be most dangerous when taken inappropriately by a 70-year-old woman?

a) Fluoxetine
b) Nortriptyline
c) Bupropion
d) Escitalopram

Answer 1

Nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, is the most dangerous for a 70-year-old woman when taken inappropriately due to its higher risk of cardiotoxicity and anticholinergic effects compared to SSRIs like fluoxetine and escitalopram and the NDRI bupropion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which medication used to treat depressive disorder might be most dangerous for a 70-year-old woman when taken inappropriately. Among the options given, nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, is likely to be the most hazardous for an elderly patient if misused.

This is because tricyclic antidepressants, like nortriptyline, have a higher risk of causing cardiotoxicity and other severe side effects in the elderly, such as anticholinergic effects, which can result in confusion, constipation, urinary retention, and other complications.

While the SSRIs like fluoxetine and escitalopram and the NDRI bupropion also carry risks, they generally have a more favorable side effect profile, particularly regarding cardiotoxic risks, when compared to tricyclic antidepressants.