What are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are a group of medications that are mainly used to manage mental health diseases such as depression. Some of the medication in this category may also be used in the treatment of anxiety, phobias, bulimia (an eating disorder), and some physical conditions. Antidepressants are very effective in reliving symptoms such as sleep problems, restlessness, suicidal thoughts and anxiety.

Available Medication

This group of medications (antidepressants) are available as tablets, capsules, and as injections for parental administration in various brands and generics.

Types or subtypes

There a variety of classes by which antidepressants fall under, below is a list of the one of the most commonly used antidepressants.

• Miscellaneous antidepressants
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Phenylpiperazine antidepressants
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
• Tetracyclic antidepressants
• Tricyclic antidepressants

Each type of antidepressant has a slight different mechanism of action and they act on different neurotransmitters in the body to balance certain chemicals so as to achive the desired outcome.

What do they treat?

Antidepressants are used in the management of mental health disease such as depression. They aid with symptoms such as:

• anxiety
• phobias
• bulimia (an eating disorder)
• some physical conditions

Prescription or over the counter?

All antidepressants require a prescription from the doctor. Some of the most frequently antidepressants prescribed by doctor are:

Safety information

Side effects

Some of the side effects involved with the use of antidepressants may include:

• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Nervousness
• Tremors
• Sexual problems
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heart rate
• Seizures

Contraindications

The use of any antidepressants medication is contraindicated in any patient who is hypersensitive to any of the active ingredients or any ingredients used in the formulation.

• Antidepressants are contraindicated in Nursing and Pregnant Women.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) should not be used concurrently with certain antidepressants or within 14 days after stopping MAOI

Warnings and precautions

Always remember to inform your doctor of any allergies or medical condition you may have, medications you are currently taking. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant and any other important health conditions you might have.

• The use of some antidepressants have been associated with hepatic failure in some patients, treatment should be discontinued immediately in patients that show signs of liver dysfunction or jaundice.
• Some antidepressants should not be administered to patients with liver disease or substantial alcohol use.
• The use of certain antidepressants may lead to serotonin syndrome
• Some antidepressants may cause orthostatic hypotension in patients.
• The use of some antidepressants may lead to an increase risk of abnormal bleeding which might also increase with the use of NSAIDs.
• Skin reactions such as erythema multiforme, Stevens Johnson syndrome may occur with the use of some antidepressants.
• The use of some antidepressants may lead to the activation of hypomania or mania.
• Antidepressants should be use with caution in patients with a history of seizures.
• Blood pressure of the patient should be monitored prior to and after initiating treatment.
• Monitor patients for suicide risk and clinical worsening.
• Screen patients for bipolar Disorder.

How long does treatment of depression with antidepressants last?

Medication for treatment of depression takes about six weeks to fully archive its desired outcome, therefore patients should always allow time for trial and error dose/treatment when prescribed antidepressants. Patients should also have in mind that a treatment plan that works perfectly for one person might not have the same effects on another hence finding the right drug for your treatment can take some time.

Talk to your doctor

Always remember to talk to you doctor about how long it will take for you medication to start working, such that if your symptoms have not improved by that time, you can notify your doctor so that a more effective treatment plan can be set up for you.