Antidepressants are drugs used to treat depression. This drug works by balancing the content of natural chemical compounds in the brain called neurotransmitters, so that they can relieve complaints and help improve mood and emotions.
In addition to treating depression, antidepressants can also be used to treat other conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and bulimia as well as pain complaints. This medicine should only be used with a doctor's prescription.
It should be understood, antidepressants can not cure depression. These drugs only help control or reduce symptoms of depression or decrease their severity.
Types of Antidepressants
There are several types of antidepressant drugs that are divided based on how they work and the side effects they cause, including:
Selectiveserotonin reuptake iinhibitors (SSRIs)
This type of antidepressant is generally the main choice for treating depression because of the low risk of side effects. SSRIs work by suppressing the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain. Examples of SSRI drugs are:
- Escitalopram
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- sertraline
Antidepressants tcyclic (TCAs)
This group is a type of antidepressant that was first developed. Although it has been used for a long time, this drug often causes many side effects when compared to other antidepressants. TCAs work by affecting the messenger compounds in the brain so that mood can be controlled and will relieve depression. Examples of TCAs are:
- Amitriptyline
- Doxepin
- Clomipramine
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
This type of antidepressant works by blocking serotonin and norepinephrine from being reabsorbed by nerve cells. SNRIs work more specifically than TCAs, so the possibility of side effects that occur is smaller. Examples of SNRI drugs are:
- Duloxetine
- Venlafaxine
Monoamine oxidase iinhibitors (MAOIs)
This type of antidepressant is given if other antidepressant drugs are not able to overcome the complaint. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work to inhibit the performance of noradrenaline and serotonin compounds to prevent symptoms of depression.
Although safe to use, MAOIs can cause various side effects, especially when taken with certain foods. Examples of MAOIs are:
- Isocarboxazid
- Phenelzine
- tranylcypromine
- Seleginile
Antidepressants atypical
This type of antidepressant is different from other antidepressants. This drug works by affecting the messenger compounds in the brain (neurotransmitters) that are used to communicate between brain cells so that they can change mood and relieve depression. Examples of atypical antidepressants include:
- Bupropin
- Mirtazapine
Warnings Before Using Antidepressants
Antidepressants should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. There are several things you should pay attention to before using an antidepressant, including:
- Do not use antidepressant medicines if you are allergic to these drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, liver problems, kidney problems, or have any other illnesses.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including herbal products or supplements.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages while on treatment with antidepressants.
- Do not use antidepressants in children under 18 years of age.
- Before using antidepressant drugs, first consult with your doctor regarding foods, drinks, drugs or supplements that can affect the performance of antidepressants.
- Certain types of antidepressants can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Therefore, do not drive a vehicle or operate heavy equipment while undergoing treatment.
- Do not stop treatment suddenly without consulting your doctor first.
- If you have an allergic reaction or overdose after taking an antidepressant, see your doctor immediately.
Side Effects and Dangers of Antidepressants
Antidepressants can cause different side effects, depending on the characteristics of each drug and the condition of the user. The following are some of the possible side effects of taking antidepressants:
- Nauseous
- Dizzy
- Agitation
- Weight gain
- Loss of sexual desire
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased orgasm
- Urinary retention
- Fatigue
- Nervous
- Sleepy
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Heart rhythm disturbances or arrhythmias
- Constipation
Certain antidepressant drugs can also increase the risk of developing diabetes. Although rare, antidepressant drugs can also cause some more serious and fatal side effects, namely:
- Serotonin syndrome, which is characterized by sweating, diarrhea, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and fainting.
- Hyponatremia, which is characterized by headaches, muscle aches, decreased appetite, weakness and lethargy, disorientation, psychosis, seizures, and even coma
Types, Trademarks and Dosage of Antidepressants
As explained above, there are several types of antidepressant drugs which are divided into how they work and the side effects they cause.
1. Selective serotonin reuptake iinhibitors (SSRIs)
Below is a breakdown of the dosages of the SSRIs class of antidepressants:
Fluoxetine
Trademarks: Andep, Antiprestin, Deprezac, Elizac, Foransi, Flouxetine HCL, Kalxetin, Nopres, Noxetine, Oxipres, Prozac, Prestin, and Zac 20
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the fluoxetine drug page.
sertraline
Trademarks: Deptral, Fridep 50, Fatal, Iglodep, Nudep 50, Serlof, Sertraline Hydrochloride, Sertraline HCL, Sernade and Zoloft
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the sertraline drug page.
Fluvoxamine
Trademark: Luvox
Condition: Depression
- Mature: 50–100mg per day as initial dose. The dose can be increased up to 300 mg. Doses of more than 150 mg can be divided into 2-3 times of consumption per day.
Condition: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Mature: 50 mg per day. The dose can be increased to a maximum of 300 mg per day which can be divided into 2 consumptions per day.
- Children aged 8 years and over: 25 mg per day. The dose may be increased by 25 mg every 4–7 days. Doses above 50 mg can be divided into 2 times of consumption.
Escitalopram
Escitalopram trademarks: Cipralex, Depram, Elxion, and Escitalopram oxalate
Condition: Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia)
- Mature: 5 mg per day. The dose can be increased to 10 mg per day after a week. Maximum dose: 20 mg per day.
Condition: Anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Mature: 10 mg per day. Maximum dose: 20 mg per day.
2. Antidepressants tcyclic (TCAs)
Below is a breakdown of the dosages of the TCAs class of antidepressants:
Doxepin
Trademark: Sagalon (Cream)
Condition: Itchy skin conditions atopic eczema and neurodermatitis
- Mature: Apply a thin layer of 5% doxepin HCI cream to the infected area 3-4 times a day, up to 8 days.
Amitriptyline
Trademarks: Amitriptylin, Amitriptylin Hydrochloride
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the amitriptyline drug page.
3. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake iinhibitors (SNRIs)
Below is a breakdown of the dosages of antidepressant drugs belonging to the SNRI class:
Venlafaxine
Trademark: Efexor XR
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the venlafaxine drug page.
Condition: Panic disorder
- Mature: 37.5 mg once daily, for the first week. The dose can be increased up to 75 mg daily, after 7 days of consumption.
Maximum dose: 225 mg per day.
Condition: Depression and anxiety disorders
- Mature: 37.5–75 mg once daily. The dose may be increased gradually by 75 mg every 4–7 days.
Maximum dose: 225 mg per day.
Duloxetine
Trademarks: Cymbalta and Duloxta 60
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the Duloxetine drug page.
4. Monoamine oxidase iinhibitors (MAOIs)
Below is a breakdown of the MAOIs class of antidepressant drugs:
Selegiline
Trademark: Jumex
Condition: Depression
- Mature: 6 mg per day transdermally. The dose may be increased every 2 weeks, in increments of 3 mg per day. The maximum dose is 12 mg per day.
Phenelzine
Trademark: -
Condition: Depression
- Mature: 15 mg, 3 times a day. The dose can be increased to 4 times a day, if the condition does not improve after 2 weeks.
Isocarboxazid
Trademark: -
Condition: Depression
- Mature: 30 mg per day. The maximum dose is 60 mg per day.
- seniors: 5–10mg per day.
tranylcypromine
Trademark: -
Condition: Depression
- Mature: 10 mg, 2 times a day. The dose may be increased to 20 mg after 1 week of treatment if the desired response has not been achieved.
5. Atypical antidepressants
Below is a breakdown of the dosages of atypical antidepressants:
Bupropion
Trademark: Zyban
For complete information about this drug, please visit the bupropion drug page.
Mirtazapine
Trademarks: Mirzap, Remeron
Condition: Depression
- Mature: 15 mg per day. The dose can be increased gradually every 1-2 weeks, according to the body's response to the drug.