Caution: Understanding Depression Drugs
When a person suffers from depression, doctors often prescribe medications that are designed to help alleviate the problem. There are a variety of different drugs designed for this purpose, and they work in different ways.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors include drugs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. These drugs work only on the neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates mood, among other functions. It works to slow the release of serotonin from the brain. Some common side effects from this family of drugs include nausea, headache, insomnia, nervousness and possible sexual problems.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic Antidepressants work on two different neurotransmitters…serotonin and well as norepineprin. These drugs have been in use for a long time, and include brands such as Elavil and Norpramin. Possible side effects from this family of drugs can include vision problems such as blurred vision and worsening glaucoma. They can also cause tiredness and slightly impaired thinking, and can increase the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure.
MAOI Inhibitors as Antidepressants
MAOI inhibitors (which stands for Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) are antidepressants that work in a similar fashion to tricyclic antidepressants, but they also work to affect the body’s level of dopamine. These drugs are often used as the last line of defense against depression, when other drugs have not proven effective for the patient. They tend to have more precautions associated with them, and the patient must be careful to avoid detrimental interactions with other drugs and even food.
These include drugs such as Parnate and Nardil, and can cause side effects such as tremors, headaches and dizziness, and weakness. As a side note, MAOI inhibitors, although dangerous, have been effective not only in fighting depression but also in helping people kick the nicotine (smoking) habit.
Lithium
There are other drugs that can be prescribed that work in different ways. Lithium is one drug that is sometimes used, generally in addition to other antidepressant drugs, when a single drug is proven not to be completely effective. It works on the balance of neurotransmitters within the brain to help reduce the extreme mood swings. Lithium can cause heart problems, and its use must be monitored with blood tests. Lithium can also cause thyroid and kidney problems, and can cause digestive problems, making the patient feel sick. Too much Lithium can cause serious side effects, which can include trembling, difficulties in walking in a straight line, and even seizures.
Wellbutrin
Another drug that helps to treat depression is Wellbutrin, which works by helping to block dopamine. This drug often produces good results for relieving depression, and doesn’t have some of the common side effects that the other drugs do. However, under some circumstances, use of Wellbutrin can increase the risk of seizures, especially if the dosage is too high or the patient has a history of head injury.
Withdrawal from Depression Medication
A patient on antidepressant medication should not abruptly stop taking the medication, or reduce the dosage, without first consulting their doctor. If there is a need to stop taking an antidepressant, the doctor will gradually reduce the dosage to let the body adapt. There are a number of side effects that are commonly experienced when withdrawing from antidepressants, which include headaches, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness and nausea. It can also include anxiety, irritability and sadness, which the patient sometimes interprets at the return of depression.
It’s important to be monitored closely by a physician when withdrawing from antidepressant medications, because if depression symptoms do reoccur, the doctor may wish to resume the antidepressant therapy or perhaps switch to a different medication.
