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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Anti-depressant Medication While On Oxycodone And Methadone

My 97 year old mother-in-law sees a pain management physician for degenerative spine condition.He has prescribed Oxycodone and Methadone. She is a very angry and depressed elderly lady who demands attention all the time. Is depression a common side effect of long term use of these medications? Is there an antidepressant medication that would be safe for her to take with those meds? My e-mail is: YYYY@YYYY
Tue, 25 Apr 2017
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Opioids such as oxycodone and methadone can certainly cause depression particularly in an older person. I recommend the antidepressant mirtazapine -- this is safe and effective in elderly population. I expect this may help her depression.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an American doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
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Suggest Anti-depressant Medication While On Oxycodone And Methadone

Hello, and thanks for your question. Opioids such as oxycodone and methadone can certainly cause depression particularly in an older person. I recommend the antidepressant mirtazapine -- this is safe and effective in elderly population. I expect this may help her depression. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an American doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers