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Depression

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Top Selling Depression Medications

Venlafaxine XR - Venlafaxine XR 37.500 mg, Venlafaxine XR 75 mg, Venlafaxine XR 150 mg
Escitalopram - Escitalopram 5 mg, Escitalopram 10 mg, Escitalopram 20 mg
Wellbutrin XL - Wellbutrin XL 150 mg, Wellbutrin XL 300 mg
Duloxetine - Duloxetine 20 mg, Duloxetine 30 mg, Duloxetine 40 mg, Duloxetine 60 mg
Cymbalta - Cymbalta 20 mg, Cymbalta 30 mg, Cymbalta 60 mg

What is an Anti-Depressant?

An anti-depressant is a prescribed psychiatric medication used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety attacks, post-traumatic stress, and mood disorders. Scientists have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of depression and related disorders, but they believe that low levels of certain neurotransmitters- serotonin and norepinephrine- greatly affect a person's mood. Anti-depressants work by accelerating the activity of certain neurotransmitters.

Types of Anti-Depressants

Many options for treatment are available, and each type of anti-depressant medication works differently, though they all influence select neurotransmitters. It is important to note that therapeutic effects of all anti-depressant medication vary with each individual case. This is due to a person's genetic makeup and sensitivity to anti-depressants, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

MAOIs. MAO inhibitors, or MAOIs, disrupt the function of monoamine oxidate (MAO), a natural enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters. This action causes an increase in the amount of neurotransmitters in the synapse, allowing more messages to transmit between neurons. MAOIs are often reserved as a last line of defense due to their potentially lethal drug and dietary interaction. A new line of MAOIs recently emerged on the market as a safe alternative. However, reports have shown in some cases they are not as effective as their predecessors.

Types of MAOIs include:

  • Phenylzine (Nardil)
  • Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Tricyclics. Tricyclic Anti-depressants (TCAs) prevent the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine by brain cells. To a certain extent, they can also prevent the reabsorption of dopamine. TCAs also block other cell receptors, causing many unwanted side effects. Because of this, many doctors have chosen to replace TCAs with SSRIs and SNRIs when prescribing treatment.

Types of TCAs include:

  • Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan)
  • Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep)
  • Desipramine (Norpramin)

SSRIs. Select Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed anti-depressant medication. Scientists believe they relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin by brain cells, increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Unlike TCAs, SSRIs affect only the serotonin levels in the brain, leaving other neurotransmitters unaffected.

Types of SSRIs include:

  • Paroxetine (Paxil)
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Sertraline (Zoloft)
  • Excitalopram oxalate (Lexapro)

SNRIs. Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are dual uptake inhibitors that increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters into brain cells. This allows for more serotonin and norepinephrine to remain in the brain, causing elevation in mood. Unlike TCAs, they do not interfere with other brain cells, causing less drastic side effects.

Types of SNRIs include:

  • Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
  • Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Side Effects

Side effects of antidepressants vary depending upon the person taking the drug. A person may do well on one type of medication, yet experience side effects with another. It is important to talk with your doctor about potential side effects as well as keep him informed if side effects do occur.

Some potential side effects of anti-depressants are as follows:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Dry mouth
  • Drowsiness
  • Constipation
  • Sleep Disturbances
  • Headache
  • Increase or decrease in appetite
  • Weakness
  • Restlessness
  • Decrease in sexual function
  • Blurred vision
  • Weight loss or weight gain
  • Low Blood pressure
  • Lightheadedness

More Depression Medications

Sertraline - Sertraline 25 mg, Sertraline 50 mg, Sertraline 100 mg
Prozac - Prozac 10 mg, Prozac 20 mg, Prozac 40 mg
Effexor XR - Effexor XR 37.500 mg, Effexor XR 75 mg, Effexor XR 150 mg
Citalopram - Citalopram 10 mg, Citalopram 20 mg, Citalopram 40 mg
Zoloft - Zoloft 25 mg, Zoloft 50 mg, Zoloft 100 mg
Bupropion SR - Bupropion SR 100 mg, Bupropion SR 150 mg, Bupropion SR 200 mg
Fluoxetine - Fluoxetine 10 mg, Fluoxetine 20 mg, Fluoxetine 40 mg
Cipralex - Cipralex 10 mg, Cipralex 20 mg
Trimipramine - Trimipramine 12.500 mg, Trimipramine 25 mg, Trimipramine 50 mg, Trimipramine 100 mg
Wellbutrin SR - Wellbutrin SR 100 mg, Wellbutrin SR 150 mg, Wellbutrin SR 200 mg
Parnate - Parnate 10 mg
Mirtazapine - Mirtazapine 15 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Mirtazapine 45 mg
Nardil - Nardil 15 mg
Paroxetine - Paroxetine 10 mg, Paroxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 30 mg, Paroxetine 40 mg
Paroxetine CR - Paroxetine CR 12.500 mg, Paroxetine CR 25 mg, Paroxetine CR 37.500 mg
Trazodone - Trazodone 25 mg, Trazodone 50 mg, Trazodone 100 mg, Trazodone 150 mg, Trazodone 300 mg
Moclobemide - Moclobemide 100 mg, Moclobemide 150 mg, Moclobemide 300 mg
Fluvoxamine - Fluvoxamine 25 mg, Fluvoxamine 50 mg, Fluvoxamine 100 mg
Aventyl - Aventyl 10 mg, Aventyl 25 mg
Desipramine - Desipramine 10 mg, Desipramine 25 mg, Desipramine 50 mg, Desipramine 75 mg, Desipramine 100 mg, Desipramine 150 mg
Desyrel - Desyrel 50 mg, Desyrel 100 mg, Desyrel 150 mg, Desyrel 300 mg
Imipramine - Imipramine 10 mg, Imipramine 25 mg, Imipramine 50 mg, Imipramine 75 mg
Remeron RD - Remeron RD 15 mg, Remeron RD 30 mg, Remeron RD 45 mg
Celexa - Celexa 10 mg, Celexa 20 mg, Celexa 40 mg
Luvox - Luvox 25 mg, Luvox 50 mg, Luvox 100 mg
Remeron - Remeron 15 mg, Remeron 30 mg, Remeron 45 mg
Venlafaxine - Venlafaxine 37.500 mg, Venlafaxine 75 mg
Anafranil - Anafranil 10 mg, Anafranil 25 mg, Anafranil 50 mg, Anafranil 75 mg
Paxil CR - Paxil CR 12.500 mg, Paxil CR 25 mg, Paxil CR 37.500 mg
Amoxapine - Amoxapine 50 mg, Amoxapine 100 mg
Bupropion - Bupropion 75 mg, Bupropion 100 mg
Doxepin - Doxepin 10 mg, Doxepin 25 mg, Doxepin 50 mg, Doxepin 75 mg, Doxepin 100 mg, Doxepin 150 mg
Nefazodone - Nefazodone 50 mg, Nefazodone 100 mg, Nefazodone 150 mg, Nefazodone 200 mg, Nefazodone 250 mg
Lithium SR - Lithium SR 300 mg, Lithium SR 450 mg
Sinequan - Sinequan 10 mg, Sinequan 25 mg, Sinequan 50 mg, Sinequan 75 mg, Sinequan 100 mg
Tofranil - Tofranil 25 mg, Tofranil 50 mg
Clomipramine - Clomipramine 10 mg, Clomipramine 25 mg, Clomipramine 50 mg, Clomipramine 75 mg
Lithium - Lithium 150 mg, Lithium 300 mg, Lithium 600 mg
Manerix - Manerix 100 mg, Manerix 150 mg, Manerix 300 mg
Ascendin - Ascendin 50 mg
Carbolith - Carbolith 150 mg, Carbolith 300 mg, Carbolith 600 mg
Clomicalm - Clomicalm 5 mg, Clomicalm 80 mg
Duralith - Duralith 300 mg
Effexor - Effexor 25 mg, Effexor 37.500 mg, Effexor 50 mg, Effexor 75 mg, Effexor 100 mg
Etrafon A - Etrafon A 10mg/4mg
Etrafon F - Etrafon F 25mg/4mg
Fluoxetine oral solution - Fluoxetine oral solution 20mg/5mL
Levazine - Levazine 2mg/25mg
Lexapro - Lexapro 5 mg
Maprotiline - Maprotiline 25 mg, Maprotiline 50 mg, Maprotiline 75 mg
Mirtazapine OD - Mirtazapine OD 15 mg, Mirtazapine OD 30 mg, Mirtazapine OD 45 mg
Norpramin - Norpramin 25 mg, Norpramin 50 mg, Norpramin 150 mg
Norpramine - Norpramine 100 mg
Nortriptyline - Nortriptyline 10 mg, Nortriptyline 25 mg, Nortriptyline 50 mg, Nortriptyline 75 mg
Pamelor - Pamelor 25 mg, Pamelor 50 mg
Paxil - Paxil 10 mg, Paxil 20 mg, Paxil 30 mg
Paxil suspension - Paxil suspension 10mg/5mL
Perphenazine/Amitriptyline - Perphenazine/Amitriptyline 2mg/10mg
Prozac Liquid - Prozac Liquid 20mg/5ml
Prozac Weekly - Prozac Weekly 90 mg
Sarafem - Sarafem 10 mg, Sarafem 20 mg
Surmontil - Surmontil 12.500 mg, Surmontil 50 mg, Surmontil 100 mg
Wellbutrin - Wellbutrin 75 mg, Wellbutrin 100 mg