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Depression Medications

Depression and Medication

Most patients suffering from depression use two forms of treatment, both psychotherapy and depressant medication. These drugs do not cure depression, but help to effective manage both depression and anxiety disorders.

Antidepressants have proven very effective in the treatment of depression. The most commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of depression are a class of drugs called SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Other drugs used to treat depression include the class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs - monoamine oxidase inhibitors.


SSRIs

This class of drugs specifically targets the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is associated with appetite, emotions, sleep and mood. SSRIs prevent the reabsorption of serotonin by the presynaptic neuron, thereby increasing the level of serotonin in the brain.

SSRIs are generally well tolerated and have fewer side effects than either tricyclic antidepressants or MAOIs.

Commonly prescribed SSRIs:

• Celexa (generic - citalopram; manufactured by Forest Laboratories)

• Lexapro (generic - citalopram HBr: manufactured by Forest Laboratories)

• Luvox (generic - fluvoxamine; manufactured by Solvay)

• Paxil (generic - paroxetine; manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline)

• Prozac (generic - fluoxetine; manufacture by Lilly)

• Zoloft (generic - sertraline; manufactured by Pfizer)

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants is a class of drugs proven effective in the treatment of depression. However, they are known to cause a number of problematic side effects, such as dry mouth, drowsiness and constipation. There are a number of known drug interactions with tricyclic antidepressants, and caution must always be used when prescribing or using this class of drugs.

Commonly prescribed Tricyclic Antidepressants

• Amitriptyline (generic; many manufacturers)

• Desipramine (generic; many manufacturers)

• Nortriptyline (generic; many manufacturers)

MAOIs

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors are another class of antidepressant drugs. These drugs have been proven highly effective in treating depression; however, they can have very serious and even life threatening side effects. They also can have dangerous interactions with certain foods.

It is extremely important for those patients taking MAOIs that they review with their physician any other medications, whether prescription or not, being taken at the same time.

Commonly prescribed MAOIs

• Nardil (generic - phenelzine; manufactured by Parke-Davis)

• Parnate (generic - tranylcypromine; manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline)

Depression medication has proven an extremely valuable tool in combating depression and anxiety disorders, however, they do not cure depression. Depression and medication such as an antidepressant are one aspect of treating this disorder and should always be used in conjunction with depression psychotherapy. 

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