According to a new British study, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - common antidepressants are not safe for elderly patients, aged 65 or above.

The findings of the study were quite shocking as Prozac and Zoloft, prescribed SSRI’s are considered to be the safe bet for depression patients, thinking it has fewer side effects. Researchers also suggested, elderly patients should take Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) than SSRI’s.

In the research, 60,000 depression patients were taken, with an average age of 65 and above. Researchers were following them since 2008, in which they found 90% patients take antidepressants, and out of them 55% take SSRI’s and 32% take TACs. The effects of the antidepressants were noticed, and it was concluded that the patients receiving SSRIs had an upper risk of dying, increased risk of stroke, falls, fracture and seizures than those who received TCAs.

The main reason of this could be, as explained by the researchers, the patients who are prescribed TCA’s are given less amount of it, due to its side effects, and patients taking SSRIs, are given high amount, considering its low side effects, which in turn increases the risk among patients aged 65 or above, as they are already taking lot of medications which could react with them.