Download Antidepressant Medications For Depression

Antidepressant Medications for Depression
Antidepressants are medications used to treat depression and several other disorders. With
proper treatment, often including antidepressants, 70% - 80% of people with major depressive
disorder (MDD) can achieve a significant reduction in symptoms.1
Antidepressant drugs are not happy pills, and they are not a panacea. They are prescription
drugs that come with risks as well as benefits and should only be taken under a doctor's
supervision. They are, however, one depression treatment option. Taking medications for
depression is not a sign of personal weakness –it is the treatment of a disease.Whether
antidepressant medication is the best depression treatment option depends on the severity of
depression, history of the illness, the patient's age and their personal preferences. Most people
do best with a combination of antidepressants and depression therapy.
How Antidepressants Work
Most antidepressants are believed to work by slowing the removal of certain chemicals from
the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and
norepinephrine). Neurotransmitters are needed for normal brain function and are involved in the
control of mood and in other functions, such as eating, sleep, pain and thinking. Antidepressants
work by making these natural chemicals more available to the brain.
Types of Antidepressants
There are several types of antidepressants, including:
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants)
Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI antidepressants)
Tricyclic antidepressants (tricyclics)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Others
Each type of antidepressant works on brain chemicals in slightly different ways.
SSRI Type of Antidepressants SSRIs are a group of depression medications that include drugs such
as:
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Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Citalopram (Celexa)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
SSRI antidepressants act only on the neurotransmitter serotonin.
SSRIs have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs, perhaps because they
act only on one body chemical, serotonin. Typical side effects of SSRI antidepressants include:
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Dry mouth
Nausea
Nervousness
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Insomnia
Headache
Tricyclic Type of Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants drugs have been used to treat depression since the 1950s. This type of
depression medication acts on neurotransmitters like serotonin and other chemicals as well.
Tricyclics include drugs like:
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Amitriptyline (Elavil, Levate)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Tricyclic antidepressants tend to have more side effects than SSRIs. Common side effects
include:
 Dry mouth
 Impaired thinking
 Blurred vision
 Tiredness
 Constipation
 Changes in blood pressure and
heart rate
 Difficulty urinating
 Worsening of glaucoma
Other Types of AntidepressantsOther types of antidepressants work on different brain chemicals
or work in ways different than tricyclics or SSRIs. Commonly used medications are:
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Bupropion (Welbutrin)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Venlafaxine (Effextor)
The newer antidepressants in this class tend to have fewer side effects than tricyclic
antidepressants and vary by medication.
MAOI’S: Because of potentially lethal dietary and drug interactions, monoamine oxidase
inhibitors have historically been reserved as a last line of treatment, used only when other classes
of antidepressant drugs don’t work They work on multiple neurotransmitters and can severely
impact brain chemistry. These can interact fatally with a wide variety of other medications,
including over the counter cold remedies, cough remedies, types of food, (aged cheese, turkey),
natural remedies, (St. John’s Wort) and multiple prescription medications. Extreme care must be
taken if using a MAOI.
Important Warning When Taking Depression Medication
In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered makers of all antidepressant
medications to include a "black box warning" (the most serious warning) on their products'
labeling to include warnings about increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior, known as
suicidality, in children, adolescents and young adults (ages 18 to 24) during initial treatment
(generally the first one to two months).
Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior
(suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of Major Depressive
Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of [drug name] or
any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the
clinical need.
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants
compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants
compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older.
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in
the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be
monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual
changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation
and communication with the prescriber.
Interactions of Antidepressants with Other Mediations
All types of antidepressants can have an effect on many other medicines. Whether prescription or
over-the-counter, you should tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, herbal products
or anything else being taken.
MAOI antidepressants carry significant risk of interaction and any medication should only be
taken under a doctor's supervision. Additionally, taking any medication which increases
serotonin increases the risk of a potentially dangerous condition known as serotonin
syndrome. Illegal drugs are particularly dangerous.
Antidepressants Are Not a Magic Bullet
While antidepressant drugs can treat depression, they cannot solve problems in people's lives.
Some mental health professionals worry people who could benefit from psychotherapy turn to
antidepressant drugs for a "quick fix." The best approach is generally a combination of counseling
and depression medications, but the correct treatment for a specific patient depends on many
factors. However, it's important to remember that with medical treatment, most people will
experience significant recovery from depression