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Antidepressants Drug Database
Depression patients should realize that depression is a chronic illness
just like diabetes or asthma.
People experiencing depression feel hopeless. They may have feelings
of worthlessness and experience a loss of interest in every-day
activities such as work, hobbies or physical intimacy.
Many factors can trigger depression such as: being out of work,
serious illness, divorce, flunking out of school, loss of a loved one.
Sometimes there is no apparent factor that triggers a depression.
There are many prescription drugs as well as illegal drugs that can
cause depression.
Fortunately, depression is a highly treatable condition. If you are
diagnosed with depression and you take the medications that your
doctor prescribes, there is an excellent chance that your depression
will fade away, like a bad dream.
Scientific studies have determined that antidepressants work best
when they are combined with counseling, such as seeing a
psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or other health professional
on a regular basis.
It is essential that depressed people who are on medication do not
discontinue taking their medication even when they feel great. You
need to take your medications religiously every day regardless of
how you feel.
If you discontinue taking your medications without the advice and
approval of your doctor, there is a good chance that you will fall into
a tailspin and become depressed again, possibly severely, and the
medicines may take longer to work.
Antidepressants are powerful drugs and should never be taken without
a doctor's prescription. You don't want to self treat depression (even
if you are a doctor) because the consequences could be disastrous.
Use in children
Antidepressants carry a strong warning regarding their use in children
and adolescents. This warning admonishes doctors and parents that
" Patients who are started on therapy should be observed closely for
clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior".
If your child is taking an antidepressant you must notify the prescriber
at once if you notice any change in his behavior.
How can drugs help depression?
The brain communicates with itself through the use of special chemicals
called neurotransmitters such as "serotonin" and "norepinephrine".
There is correlation between the amount of these chemicals in the
brain and a person's mood. Low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine have not been proven to cause depression but it widely believed that
elevation of these chemicals is associated with improvement in mood
in depressed people, particularly when their use is combined with
psychological counseling.
Doctors elevate these brain chemicals with the use of drugs.
There are many different families of antidepressants available today. The two most common groups are:
- SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) These drugs
ncrease the brain's level of serotonin, and are associated with an
improvement in mood. SSRI's have also been shown to be useful in
the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and some forms of
severe shyness.
These drugs come with strong warnings regarding their use in
children. There is data to suggest that occasionally when kids take
SSRI's some of them engage in self destructive thoughts.
However, many times the benefits of giving your child a SSRI far
outweigh the possible side effects. That is a decision for you and
your doctor.
They are generally well tolerated and effective. Some common SSRI
side effects include: heartburn and drowsiness. They can sometimes
produce a transient loss of appetite. SSRI medications can have drug
interactions. You should consult with your doctor or pharmacist prior
to mixing them with other medications.
Tricyclic antidepressants get their name from their chemical
structure. Tricyclics were first discovered in the 1950's. Prior to
that, depression was commonly treated with barbiturates or shock treatment.
This class of drugs is effective in combating depression but is associated
with troublesome side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth and
constipation. They are also associated with weight gain and sleepiness.
Another drawback to tricyclic antidepressants is that these drugs
are dangerous when taken in an overdose.
For this reason, doctors usually prescribe the smallest number of pills
possible -- they do not want a patient to commit suicide by taking
an overdose of tricyclics.
Tricyclic antidepressant medications can have drug interactions. You
should consult with your doctor or pharmacist prior to mixing them
with other medications.
- MAOI's (monoamine oxidase Inhibitors). MAOI's are very effective
but have potentially life-threatening drug interactions and food
interactions. If you are taking a MAOI drug, it is important that you consult with your doctor before you take any other
medicines. Your doctor will also tell you which foods to avoid
mixing with your medicine.
SSRI's: General
Citalopram; Drug Family: SSRI; sometimes referred to as "Celexa".
These days, nobody buys brand Name Celexa. However, generic
citalopram is widely available at low prices.
Citalopram Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
Official Website ; Prescribing information; Depression Information
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Compare Prices
SSRI's: General
Lexapro (escitalopram HBr: Drug Family SSRI - Forest Laboratories)
Lexapro is a cleaner, improved version of Celexa. Lexapro is
moderately expensive. It is indicated to treat depression and
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Lexapro compares favorably
to other antidepressants such as Zoloft or Effexor.
Most people start with 10mg per day, and the doctor can go up to
20mg per day as needed. It's also available as a 5mg tablet or a
tasty peppermint flavored liquid for people who have a hard time
swallowing a pill.
Lexapro costs about $2.85 per pill if you buy it from your local drug
store. If you shop around on the internet, you should be able to find
a better price. Click Here to comparison shop for Lexapro.
There is no such thing as generic Lexapro, so if you see an advertisement
to buy generic Lexapro, stay away from it. This so-called generic Lexapro
is a bootlegged copy made in some lab in Mexico or Cambodia or some
other undeveloped country.
If you can not afford Lexapro, ask your doctor to switch you to generic
Celexa or citalopram. Citalopram is similar to Lexapro but it is less
expensive.Click Here To Comparison shop for generic Celexa (citalopram)
Another inexpensive alternative to Lexapro is generic Prozac or generic
Paxil. These two products have very similar actions to Lexapro but they
are much cheaper because they are generics.
Click Here To Comparison Shop for generic Paxil.
Click Here To Comparison Shop for generic Prozac.
Lexapro Drug Information Database:
Comparison Shop For Lexapro
Prescribing Information PDF File
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
Official Website: PI, Patient Info, Depression Information
General Information Patient Information, picture of Lexapro pill, etc.
Compare Prices
Luvox (fluvoxamine; Drug Family: SSRI - Solvay)
Luvox was the old brand name for fluvoxamine. When Luvox went
generic, people stopped buying brand name Luvox and switched over
to generic fluvoxamine.
Fluvoxamine is useful in treating patients with obsessive symptoms. Somehow, the fluvoxamine short circuits obsessive thought patterns,
so a person can get these ideas out of their minds.
Fluvoxamine Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Paxil (paroxetine)
There are two forms of Paxil these days. Glaxo has introduced a timed
release formulation of Paxil called Paxil CR. It costs about three times
as much as generic paroxetine. You should be able to obtain generic
paroxetine for $1.00 per pill or less if you shop around.
Prescribing Information
Literature Search
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Compare Prices For Generic Paroxetine
Prozac, Prozac Weekly
(fluoxetine; Drug Family: SSRI - Lilly); generic available
Click Here to comparison shop for generic Prozac
Prozac, Prozac Weekly
Information Database
Prozac used to be one of the most popular drugs in the United Sates.
As soon as it went generic and Lilly stopped promoting it, the sales
of Prozac plummeted.
Prescribing Information | Prescribing Information Source B; PDF File
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
Prozac.com - The official Prozac website
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Prozac Comparison Shopping: In the US, the druggist buys generic
Prozac for about 5 cents per pill. They don't usually pass on the
savings to their customers. There is a lot of competition between
sites that sell generic Prozac. This competition drives down the prices.
You can get your best price on Prozac and generic Prozac if you
comparison shop. Click here to comparison shop for Prozac & Generic Prozac
Zoloft (sertraline; Drug Family: SSRI - Pfizer)
Zoloft is mostly sold as the generic "sertraline". Sertraline is the same thing as Zoloft but it is cheaper.
Make sure that you take your Zoloft (sertraline) with food or milk.
If you take Zoloft on an empty stomach, you may get a painful heartburn.
Zoloft has many uses besides being a remedy for depression. Zoloft
can be used to treat extreme shyness or post-traumatic distress
syndrome.
Click Here to comparison shop for Zoloft. You should visit at least 3
web sites before you buy anything. That's the beauty of the internet -
comparison shopping is very easy and convenient.
Zoloft Drug Information Database:
Prescribing Information
Official website; Prescribing Information; Depression Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Compare Prices There is a lot of competition between sites that
sell Zoloft because Zoloft is a popular expensive drug.
Tricyclics:
Amitriptyline; GENERIC (Drug Family: tricyclic - various
manufacturers)
Amitriptyline was introduced By Merck as Elavil.
Many doctors and patients are rediscovering amitriptyline because it is
an effective and inexpensive antidepressant. Amitriptyline is sometimes
off-label to treat nerve pain associated with diabetes and other painful
conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
amitriptyline is also used off-label to treat conditions such as bed
wetting, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome,
insomnia and migraine headache.
Amitriptyline Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Compare Prices There is a lot of competition between sites that
sell amitriptyline because it is a popular drug.
Amitriptyline cheap to buy - the drugstore gets amitriptyline for
pennies per pill. Even if a drug store sells you amitriptylline at a low price, it is still a profitable item. Click Here to comparison shop for amitriptyline
Desipramine; GENERIC (Drug Family: tricyclic - various manufacturers)
Desipramine is similar to amitriptyline. It is unpopular for the same
reasons that tricyclics went out of fashion - side effects such as weight gain, dry mouth and drowsiness.
Desipramine drug information database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Nortriptyline; GENERIC (Drug Family: tricyclic - various manufacturers)
Nortriptyline Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Misc:
Cymbalta (Duloxetine; Drug Family: SSNRI; serotonin and
norepinephrine uptake inhibitor).
Cymbalta is an interesting drug. Cymbalta works to treat more than
one condition. It is useful in treating depression. It is also effective in
treating diabetic nerve pain.
Like the other brand name antidepressants, Cymbalta is expensive.
It will cost you about $3.35 per pill.
If you are on Cymbalta and you do not have insurance you should use
the internet to comparison shop or ask your doctor for inexpensive
alternatives such as generic zoloft or generic prozac or amitriptyline
Cymbalta Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information (WebMd version; computer friendly)
Cymbalta.com Official Website
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information layman's monograph; a cross between the
drugstore flyer and the full PI.
Cymbalta's FDA Approval Packet approval History and Related
Documents; label information.
Effexor, Effexor XR
Effexor is a powerful antidepressant. It works increasing the presence
of the brain messenger chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.
You should start off taking Effexor with a small dose and build it up
gradually. If you start with too high a dose, you can get side effects
such as nausea, sleeplessness and loss of appetite. Fortunately
these side effects subside with time.
Effexor is available as a generic generic - we are talking the tablets,
not the time release capsules. The time-release version of Effexor
(Effexor XR) is not available as a generic and it is expensive.
Wyeth is working on a new product that is similar to Effexor. It is
referred to as "son of Effexor". It is called "desvenlafaxine".
Desvenlafaxineknown by the code-name "DVS-233".
Effexor Drug Information Database:
(venlafaxine; Drug Family: serotonin and norepinephrine uptake
inhibitor - Wyeth Laboratories)
Prescribing Information (Effexor)
Effexor XR Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
Effexor XR.com; official web site; Prescribing Information; Depression Information
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Comparison Shop Prices To Buy Effexor and Effexor XR
Mirtazepine
(Drug Family: tetracyclic - Organon)
The brand name for mirtazepine is Remeron. However, Remeron went
generic and hardly anyone still uses the Remeron brand - everyone
uses generic mirtazepine.
The major drawback to mirtazepine therapy is that it is associated with
increased hunger and weight gain. People on mirtazepine have been
known to eat and eat without satisfying their hunger.
(A former colleague of mine was on mirtazepine and it caused him to
eat like a horse; you could practically see sparks coming from his
knife and fork; I had never seen anything like it).
Mirtazepine is also known to cause drowsiness. For this reason it is
typically administered at bedtime.
Mitrazepine Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Nardil (phenelzine; Drug Family: MAOI - Parke-Davis)
Nardil is a powerful drug with many dangerous side effects. It should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist or some other expert.
Mixing Nardil with certain other drugs or certain foods (such as black
licorice, aged cheeses) or alcoholic beverages can cause a serious
reaction or death.
Because of all the side effects associated with Nardil, this drug is
usually used only as a last resort - when the other drugs have failed.
Nardil Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Parnate (tranylcypromine; Drug Family: MAOI - SmithKline)
Parnate is a powerful drug with many dangerous side effects. It should
only be prescribed by a psychiatrist or some other expert.
Mixing Parnate with certain other drugs or certain foods (such as black
licorice, aged cheese) or alcoholic beverages can cause a serious reaction or death.
Because of all the side effects associated with Parnate, this drug is
usually used only as a last resort - when the other drugs have failed.
Parnate Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Serzone (withdrawn from USA Market In June, 2004)
(nefazodone; Drug Family: phenylpiperazine - Bristol-Myers Squibb)
Serzone is no longer available in ther USA. Serzone was withdrawn
due to safety concerns
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of Serzone pill, etc.
Trazodone; GENERIC (Drug Family: triazolopyridine - various manufacturers)
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Wellbutrin
Wellbutrin SR (twice a day)
Wellbiutrin XL (Once a day)
(bupropion; Drug Family: aminoketone - Glaxo)
Wellbutrin's claim to fame is that it is an effective antidepressant that
has no sexual side effects unlike most other antidepressants.
An unusual side effect of Wellbutrin is that it can cause a person to
sweat excessively in response to heat, nervousness or hot spicy foods
like hot sauce or chili peppers.
This excessive sweating is not dangerous, just an inconvenience.
Sometimes when it is mildly warm a person on Wellbutrin will be
sweating like crazy while nobody else in the room is sweating.
Another use for Wellbutrin is for smoking cessation. For some reason
Wellbutrin removes the pleasant taste and soothing effects cigarette
that smokers
Wellbutrin Drug Information Database
Prescribing Information
Literature Search (National Library of Medicine Database)
General Information Patient Information, picture of pill, etc.
Wellbutrin XL. com; Official Website; depression; prescribing information
Comparison Shop Prices To Buy Wellbutrin and generic Wellbutrin
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