How Drugs are Used for Treatment of Depression
Types of Prescription Antidepressant Medication and How They Work
Sep 10, 2007
To understand how medication is used to treat depression, it is important to know the cause. There are three mood altering chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that transmit electrical signals between brain cells). They are norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Prescription medication helps improve the symptoms of depression by changing the availability of these brain chemicals. Not all medication works the same. Different types of antidepressants are designed to affect neurotransmitters in different ways.
There are several classes of depression medication and they are grouped according to the way they affect the neurotransmitters:
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are some of the first medications developed to treat depression. They affect the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain but target actual brain cells rather than transmitters. Because of adverse side effects, TCAs are used when other medications fail.
Brand names are Elavil, Limbitrol, Norpramin, Sinequan, Norpramin, Tofranil, Pamelor, Aventyl and Vivactil.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another early-developed antidepressant. They work by deactivating enzymes in the brain which “chew up” serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, thus increasing the levels of these chemicals in the brain. People who use MAOIs must adhere to a strict diet because certain foods will cause adverse reactions. There are also reactions to other medications. This is prescribed when others fail.
Brand names are Nardil, Marplan, Emsam and Parnate.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a newer form of antidepressant. They work by increasing the serotonin level in the brain. If also preserves the norepinephrine transmitters. This is a popular medication because there are few adverse side effects.
Brand names are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro and Luvox.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another newer form of antidepressant medicine. They increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. Like SSRIs, there are few side effects and they are the second most popular prescribed medication.
Brand names are Effexor and Cymbalta.
Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) are another popular medication. They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. There are few side effects.
The brand name is Wellbutrin.
There are atypical medications which target other neurotransmitters either alone or in addition to serotonin. Side effects vary according to the medication.
Brand names are Remeron, Desyrel and Serzone.
You must work closely with your doctor in order to determine which medication is best for you. There are factors to consider such as other medications you are taking or other related problems such as anxiety. After taking the medication for a short time, you should report to your doctor all favorable results as well as side effects. You may find a need to change your medication or adjust the dose. With the variety of antidepressants available, there should be one that works best for you.
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Related Articles:
- Antidepressants and Side Effects
- Staying on Your Antidepressant
- Pharmaceutical Treatment of Depression
- Surviving Your Antidepressants
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