Is Depression Bringing You Down?

About Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that affects many people. Its symptoms can range from lack of motivation, low moods, lack of concentration, apathy, social withdrawal to despair.

Antidepressants are medications that are helpful in some people with depression.

SSRI’s

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. The work on the brain inhibits the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This is thought to increase levels of serotonin in the brain. This neurotransmitter is involved with happiness and mood.

SSRIs include:

fluoxetine / Prozac
sertraline / Zoloft
citalopram / Celexa
escitalopram / Lexapro
paroxetine / Paxil
fluvoxamine / Luvox

CAUTION
May Come with Side Effects

Common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, akathisia, restlessness, tremors, and shaky limbs, as well as sexual problems.

SNRI’s

SNRIs are Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. These are other commonly prescribed antidepressant medications.

SNRIs help with serotonin and norepinephrine levels in your brain.

These drugs include:
Venlafaxine / Effexor XR
Duloxetine / Cymbalta
Desvenlafaxine / Pristiq
Levomilnacipran / Fetzima

CAUTION
May Come with Side Effects

Common side effects of SNRI’s include nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, constipation, dry mouth, and sometimes paranoia.

Tricyclics
for Depression

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are usually prescribed only when SSRIs or other antidepressants don’t work.

Some TCA’s include:

clomipramine / Anafranil
Desipramine / Norpramin
Imipramine / Tofranil
Nortriptyline / Pamelor
trimipramine / Surmontil

CAUTION
May Come with Side Effects

Common side effects of TCAs can include constipation, dry mouth, fatigue, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

MAOI’s for Depression

MAOIs are Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These drugs are for treating depression. They are sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety disorders.

They work by increasing the number of neurotransmitters that regulate mood.

Some MAOI’s include:
Isocarboxazid / Marplan
Phenelzine / Nardil
Selegiline / Emsam
Tranylcypromine / Parnate

CAUTION
May Come with Side Effects

MAOIs are older drugs that typically cause more side effects than newer drugs. MAOIs also come with certain restrictions such as avoiding cheese for example.

Certain medications, including SSRIs, birth control pills, pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, cold, flu, and allergy medications, and herbal supplements can also react with MAOIs.

Using an MAOI with certain foods or medications can dangerously increase your blood pressure and cause other potentially life-threatening side effects.

Wellbutrin to Treat Depression

Wellbutrin is a medication that is used for depression, and sometimes ADHD. It works on the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. It is mild dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake blocker.

CAUTION
May Come with Side Effects

Some side effects may occur when you start Wellbutrin. These include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, and more.

If you think your symptoms are dopamine and norepinephrine related. You might want to consult your physician about this medicine. You can alternatively go directly to mytelemedicine.com.

Alternatively, you can speak with a counselor at Online-Therapy.com.