Antidepressants and other Depression Medication
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Tricyclics and MAOIs
Sep 17, 2009
Depression medication is often the first treatment choice for people suffering from a major depressive episode. Often combined with psychotherapy, antidepressants can offer very effective treatment. Careful selection of depression medication is required, as not all prescriptions work for everyone.
How Antidepressants Work
Special chemical compounds called neurotransmitters help relay signals from one brain nerve cell to another. Neurotransmitters include serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Depression research indicates that people suffering from depression often have lower than normal neurotransmitters in their brain tissue. Most antidepressants work by increasing neurotransmitter levels.
Depression medication can be divided into four broad categories: selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Brain cells produce and release neurotransmitters. Most of the released neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on nearby brain cells. Some neurotransmitters don’t bind to other cells, and are absorbed back into the brain cell that produced them. This reabsorbing process is called reuptake.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, prevent brain cells from reabsorbing the neurotransmitter serotonin. As a result more serotonin is available for use in the brain. The well-known antidepressant Prozac is an SSRI.
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are similar to SSRIs. Instead of blocking only serotonin reuptake, SNRIs also block the reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Tricyclic antidepressants are an older family of depression medication that elevates norepinephrine and serotonin levels. Tricyclic antidepressants are more likely to cause side effects than SSRIs and SNRIs, so are not usually a first choice for depression treatment.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, are some of the oldest antidepressants in use. While still used if other depression medication proves ineffective, MAOIs can cause serious side effects and interact negatively with a variety of foods and medications.
Additional Depression Medication
Medicinal therapy for depression centers on the four antidepressant families. Some people respond well to a single antidepressant, while others may require the use of more than one depression medication.
When depression is comorbid with anxiety or similar mood disorders, additional medication may be used to support the antidepressant. Anticonvulsive medication, anti-anxiety medication and stimulants have all been used in this capacity.
Alcohol and Antidepressants
Alcohol should be avoided when taking depression medication. Antidepressants can significantly increase the effects of alcohol, alcohol can reduce the benefits of depression medication and depression medication can interact dangerously with alcohol.
Side Effects of Antidepressants
Side effects of antidepressants range from mild headaches, dizziness and nausea to life threatening events such as stoke or serotonin syndrome. When starting any new medication it is advisable to discuss side effects and potential drug interactions with the prescribing doctor.
Not all antidepressants work for everyone. Some people have to try several different depression medications before they find relief. In most cases, however, careful selection will reveal an antidepressant that alleviates depression symptoms.
Resources
MedicineNet.com. (Retrieved 16 September, 2009). Popular Depression Medications.
WebMD. (Retrieved 16 September, 2009). Drugs to Treat Depression.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
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