depression medicine

Depression is a widely researched phenomenon because it affects so many people directly and indirectly. It is believed that the majority of people experience some form of depression at some point in their lives. Increasingly people are getting medical assistance in dealing with the symptoms of depression and accepting it as a disease not unlike the flu. There are many different types of depression medicine and they each treat different forms of depression. Depending on what type of depression you suffer from, you will get any of a fairly wide variety of depression medicine. The depression medicine works by increasing or altering the brain chemicals involved in depression to improve the mental state and reduce the symptoms of depression.

Depression Medicine

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) were among the first widely used depression medicine. They work by changing the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin (neurotransmitters) found in the brain. Basically, they increase the available amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These are some of the most effective depression medicine available but they have many side effects which results in them not being the first line of defense against depression symptoms.

Side effects of TCAs include: dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue and sleepiness, weight gain, muscle twitching (tremors), constipation, bladder problems (urine retention), dizziness, daytime drowsiness, increased heart rate and sexual problems (decrease in function and/or arousal). Examples of this type of depression medicine include:

Anafranil
Adapin
Aventyl
Elavil
Norpramin
Pamelor
Pertofrane
Sinequan
Surmontil
Tofranil
Vivactil

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) were also among the early types of depression medicine widely accepted. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain to relieve symptoms. This type of depression medicine is good for people who have forms of depression that do not respond to other drug treatments and other mental illnesses. Unfortunately, people who use MAOIs have to have a special, strict diet because substances in certain foods (some dairy products, some fruits, canned products and alcoholic beverages for example) and other medications (like allergy medicines) can have dangerous interactions with the depression medicine. Because of these side effects, MAOIs are seldom the first set of depression medicine given to people and they are given as an alternative to drugs that do not relieve the symptoms of depression. Other side effects can include headache, heart racing, chest pain, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting. These side effects can be life threatening so a doctor must be contacted if they occur. Examples of MAOIs include:

Parnate
Nardil
Marplan

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a new type of depression medicine that works by altering the amount of serotonin is released in the brain. They increase the serotonin to relieve depression symptoms. The incidence of side effects is considerably less with SSRIs and they are generally milder than the older types of depression medicine. Side effects include
reversible sexual problems (low sex drive or inability to have an orgasm), dizziness, headaches, nausea (right after a dose), insomnia, jitteriness. Some of the popular brands of SSRIs include:

Celexa
Lexapro
Luvox
Paxil
Prozac
Zoloft

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another new type of depression medicine. They work by increasing serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These types of depression medicine tend to have mild side effects which include drowsiness, blurred vision, lightheadedness, strange dreams, constipation, fever/chills, headache, increased or decreased appetite, tremor, dry mouth, nausea, weight loss, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, diarrhea and dizziness. While they are less likely to cause the sexual side effects known to exist in other depression medicine, they can cause an increase in sweating and blood pressure and their sedating effect can cause fatigue and reduced energy

Wellbutrin
Remeron
Cymbalta
Effexor

Other Depression Medicine

There are a re other new depression medicines that block various neurotransmitter chemicals. They are relatively new and their known side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, tremor, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, daytime sleepiness, sweating, nausea and vomiting. Some well known brands include: