Depression Medicines

When people suffer from depression, combination of antidepressants taking and psychotherapy is the common way of treatment. But, before starting treatment it is necessary to keep in mind following points:

It takes time to make precise diagnosis and find proper medicaments for depression treatment. It is a very delicate and serious process. The doctor should take into account your previous medical conditions or possible health complications. For example, some antidepressants may be unsafe in case of liver, heart and kidney disorders. In case of inadequate dosage treatment may be inefficient or result in serious side effects.As any medicine, some types of antidepressants can help one patient and be absolutely inefficient for the other one. Moreover, some patients are advised to take a few medicaments during the course of treatment.

And at last, antidepressants should be taken very carefully by children, teenagers and young people who are under 24 years old. The best way is to see a consulting physician and weigh all pros and contras. The doctor will choose the most effective medicine and dosage.

Types of antidepressants.

• TCAs (tricyclics). These medications were first to be used for depression treatment. Here are some of well-known tricyclic antidepressants:  Pertofrane and Norpramin (desipramine), Elavil (amitriptyline hydrochloride), Tofranil (imipramine), Sinequan, Adapin (doxepin hydrochloride), Surmontil (trimipramine), Pamelor and Aventyl (nortriptyline), Vivactil (protriptyline). TCAs side effects are problems with blood pressure and blood sugar levels, giddiness, sickliness, indigestion, dry mouth.
• SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). They appeared in 1980s. Today these medications are commonly used.  Here are some SSRIs: Lexapro (escitalopram), Celexa (citalopram), Sarafem and Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Pexeva and Paxil (paroxetine). Their side effects are giddiness, fatiguability, indigestion, problems with sexual drive, insomnia, headache and changes in weight.
• MAOIs (inhibitors of monoamine oxidase).  These antidepressants are prescribed rarely because of their interaction with some drugs and food.  Here are some of them: Parnate (tranylcypromine), Nardil (phenelzine), EMSAM (selegiline) and Marplan (isocarboxazid).
• SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) include Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), Effexor (venlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine). Their side effects are anxiety, insomnia, giddiness, fatiguability, indigestion, problems with sexual drive.

And at last, here are a few antidepressants that differ from above mentioned ones. They are Wellbutrin and Aplenzin (bupropion), Desyrel (trazodone) and Remeron (mirtazapine).