5 of the most commonly used antidepressant drugs, along with the risk of side effects

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Medical Video: Antidepressants and Placebo Controversies

Don't underestimate or let depression just because the impact is very dangerous. Various studies have found a link between depression and chronic liver disease, obesity, and heart failure. Worst case scenario, depression can trigger thoughts or suicide attempts. Antidepressants are often the first treatment option prescribed by doctors to treat depression. What are the most commonly used antidepressant drugs, and are there side effects?

Types of antidepressant drugs commonly prescribed by doctors

Antidepressants work by balancing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which affect your mood and emotions. These drugs can help improve mood, help you sleep better, and increase appetite and concentration.

How the depression medication works will depend on the type of drug.The following are the most common types of antidepressant drugs used:

1. Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with feeling healthy and happy. In the brains of people who are depressed, their serotonin production is low.

SSRIs are used to treat moderate to severe depression. SSRIs work to block serotonin from being reabsorbed by nerve cells (nerves usually recycle these neurotransmitters). This causes an increase in serotonin concentration, which can improve mood and re-grow interest for activities that you used to like.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants because the risk of side effects is low.Examples of drugs in this type are escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Lovan or Prozac), paroxetine (Aropax), sertraline (Zoloft), and citalopram (Cipramil).

SSRI side effects that may appear include:

  • Gastrointestinal disorders (influenced by the number of doses) such as nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation.
  • Anorexia with weight loss, but there are also in some cases an increase in appetite resulting in weight gain
  • Hypersensitivity reactions include itching, hives, anaphylaxis, myalgia
  • Dry mouth
  • Nervous
  • Hallucinations
  • Sleepy
  • Seizures
  • Impaired sexual function
  • Disorders of the bladder to urinate or empty it
  • Vision disorders
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Hyponatremia

Also keep in mind that SSRIs should not be used if the patient enters the manic phase.

2. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRI inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine from being reabsorbed by nerve cells. Norepinephrine is involved in the nervous system of the brain which triggers a response of attraction to external stimulimotivate them to do something. Therefore, SNRI is believed to be more effective than an SSRI type drug that only focuses on serotonin.

Antidepressant drugs included in the SNRI group were venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and reboxetine (Edronax). Side effects of these types of drugs, including:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness; kliyengan's head
  • Sleeplessness (insomnia)
  • Unusual dreams; nightmare
  • Excessive sweating
  • Constipation
  • Trembling
  • Feeling anxious
  • Sexual problems

3. Tricyclics

Tricyclics directly inhibit a number of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, so that they are not reabsorbed while binding to nerve cell receptors. Usually, this drug is prescribed for people who have previously been given an SSRI but there are no changes in symptoms.

Antidepressants included in this group are amitriptyline (Endep), clomipramine (Anafranil), dosulepin (Prothiaden or Dothep), doxepin (Deptran), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Allegron).

The side effects caused by this type of drug are:

  • Arrhythmia
  • Heart blockade (especially on amitriptyline use)
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Sweating
  • Sleepy
  • Urinary retention
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat

These side effects can be reduced if initially given in low doses, and then gradually increased. Gradually dosing is especially applied to elderly people who are depressed, because there is a risk of a drop in blood pressure that might cause kliyengan's head and even fainting.

4. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work to inhibit the monoamine oxidase enzyme which can destroy serotonin, epinephrine and dopamine. These three neurotransmitters are responsible for causing feelings of happiness.

Examples of this type of medicine are tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), and isocarboxazid (Marplan). Usually MAOI is prescribed when other antidepressant medications do not improve symptoms. MAOI can cause interactions with some foods, such ascheese, pickles / pickles, and wine. Therefore, you must be careful about the food you consume while using the drug.

This type of drug has very serious side effects. The side effects that occur are:

  • Dizziness (kliyengan's head, the sensation of a rotating room)
  • Blood pressure changes
  • Feel sleepy
  • Hard to sleep
  • Dizzy
  • Fluid in the body (eg swelling of the legs and ankles)
  • Blurred vision
  • Gain weight

5. Noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NASSAs)

NASSAs are antidepressants that work by increasing levels of noradrenaline and serotonin. The drugs included in this type are mirtazapine (Avanza).Serotonin and noradrenaline are neurotransmitters that regulate mood and emotions. Serotonin also regulates the sleep cycle and appetite.

The side effects given from this drug are drowsiness, increased appetite, increased body weight, dry mouth, constipation, flu symptoms, and dizziness.

The effect of the drug will be most effective when accompanied by psychotherapy and a healthy lifestyle

Antidepressants are often the first treatment option prescribed by health professionals to deal with depression. But the effectiveness of the drug does not occur overnight.

It usually takes at least three to four weeks before you see changes in your mood. Sometimes it can take longer. Taking medication every day as directed by a doctor can help increase the effectiveness of the drug and accelerate healing.

In addition to prescription drugs, doctors may also refer you to psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and intrapersonal therapy as a treatment for companion depression, especially in cases of moderate to severe depression.

Apart from medical treatment, many professional medical professionals also agree that healthy eating and regular exercise are the best "alternative medicine" for people with depression. Apart from improving mood, regular exercise offers other health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, protecting against heart disease and cancer, and increasing self-confidence.

One thing is certain: Depression is not a sign of character defects, weaknesses, or something that can disappear instantly. Depression is a real mental disorder that requires painstaking and sustained medical treatment to be cured.

If you, a relative, or family member shows signs of depression or other symptoms of mental illness, or shows desire or behavior or wants to try to commit suicide, immediately call the police emergency hotline110; Suicide Prevention hotline(021)725 6526/(021) 725 7826/(021) 722 1810; or NGOs Don't Kill Yourself (021) 9696 9293

5 of the most commonly used antidepressant drugs, along with the risk of side effects
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