Abstract
Many different pharmacologic agents are available to increase lean body mass and improve nutritional status. A clear understanding of each patient's malnourished state and the underlying cause of poor intake must be identified so the root of the problem can be addressed with an appropriate specific treatment. Depression must be considered as a potential cause of poor nutritional intake, and antidepressants may be more appropriate treatment options than traditional appetite or lean body mass-enhancing therapy. Conventional antidepressants, however, pose significant problems for older patients. A review of the use of methylphenidate as an antidepressant in the elderly revealed that it is a safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive agent that may be an alternative for nutrition support clinicians who are attempting to increase oral intake in malnourished older patients.
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