Antidepressant

Antidepressants are a broad class of pharmacological agents primarily used in the treatment of depression, but also prescribed for other mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. These medications operate by altering chemical interactions within the brain, typically focusing on neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Prozac

Classification

Antidepressants can be classified into several categories based on their mechanism of action:

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants due to their lower side effect profile compared to other classes. Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and citalopram (Celexa).
• Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): These affect both serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
• Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): An older class of antidepressants, they are as effective as SSRIs but generally have a more severe side effect profile. Examples include amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): These are among the oldest antidepressants. They are used less commonly today because they require dietary restrictions and can have significant side effects, but can be effective when other treatments have failed. Examples include phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
• Atypical Antidepressants: This group doesn't fit neatly into other categories, but they affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Examples include bupropion (Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron).

Mechanism of Action

Antidepressants function by modulating the concentration of specific neurotransmitters in the brain, primarily serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They typically achieve this by inhibiting the reuptake or breakdown of these neurotransmitters, thereby increasing their availability in the brain.

Side Effects

While antidepressants are generally effective in treating depression and related disorders, they can also have undesirable side effects. Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and increased suicidal thoughts (particularly in young adults). It's important for patients to have an open dialogue with their healthcare provider about potential side effects and any concerns they may have.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2010). Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(Supplement 1), 1-152.
• Hirschfeld, R. M. (2000). Antidepressants in long-term therapy: a review of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 101(S402), 39-49.
• Stahl, S. M. (2008). Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications. Cambridge University Press.

External Links

• National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Health Medications
• WHO: Antidepressant Medications

See Also

• Depression
• Psychotherapy
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Atypical antidepressants

Antidepressant Resources
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The following are antidepressant subclasses and drugs

MAO Inhibitors Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine

SNRIs Duloxetine, Levomilnacipran, Venlafaxine

SSRIs Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Vilazodone, Vortioxetine

Tricyclics Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Doxepin, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Protriptyline, Trimipramine

Miscellaneous Bupropion, Flibanserin, Mirtazapine, Nefazodone, Trazodone