Pages

.

Showing posts with label antidepressants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antidepressants. Show all posts

Amitriptyline belongs to class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants (Lily Wilson Rose)

Elavil (Amitriptyline) is FDA-marked in adults and in teenagers and kids over 12 years of age for depression. It is utilized basically to treat significant wretchedness (both maniacal and endogenous), particularly discouragement connected with a slumber aggravation. On account of its soothing impacts, it might be valuable in treating tension connected with sorrow. Elavil ought not to be utilized for bipolar issue (manic discouragement) as it may accelerate a manic scene.

Elavil might likewise be recommended to treat:

nerve torment (neurogenic ache)chronic, extreme agony and torment disorders, for example, ciguatera, posttherpetic neuralgia, neuropathic, and vulvodynia.agitationanorexiabulimia connected with discouragementinsomniaIt is additionally helpful in treatment for nerve torment, ceaseless agony disorders, headaches/headache avoidance, nighttime enuresis and a sleeping disorder.

The amount of this medication is ordinarily utilized?
Tablet: 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg

In Adolescents:

Initial: 25-50 mg/day; may give in isolated measurements; expand step by step to 100 mg/day in partitioned dosages; most extreme dosage: 200 mg/dayIn Children: Investigationally: introductory measurements of 1 mg/kg/day given in 3 separated dosages with expansions to 1.5 mg/kg/day have been accounted for in a little number of kids (n=9) 9-12 years old Clinically, measurements up to 3 mg/kg/day (5 mg/kg/day if observed nearly) have been propose.

Warnings and Precautions:

Uncommon consideration ought to be utilized within youngsters under twelve years. Elavil should not be utilized within kids under twelve with the exception of under the direction of a youngster therapist.Teenagers (12-18 years of age) have a stronger response to Elavil than do grown-ups and may require littler measurements.Elavil is not addictive. On the other hand, all of a sudden suspending Elavil may cause withdrawal side effects. Doses ought to be step by step decreased to minimize withdrawal. Indeed steady measurement lessening may deliver some withdrawal indications.Elavil can result in photosensitivity and can lessen sweating which impedes the body's capability to adjust to high temperature. Patients ought to evade saunas and other extremely hot situations.Elavil can result in laziness and unsteadiness: a patient taking Elavil ought not drive or work substantial apparatus until he realizes that it doesn't debilitate his capability do participate in these exercises.For Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Controlled studies have not been carried out in pregnant ladies, however there have been reports of babies experiencing muscle fits and heart, breathing, and urinary issues when their moms had taken tricyclic antidepressants quickly before conveyance. Creature studies demonstrate that some tricyclic antidepressants may have undesirable consequences for an embryo. Tricyclic antidepressants pass into breast milk and are accounted for to cause laziness in nursing babies.

Precautions:

Individuals with a history or danger of seizures may be more helpless against assaults while on TCAs.Different conditions that stance uncommon dangers incorporate glaucoma, coronary illness, sporadic heart rhythms, hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver sickness, and pee issues.Amitriptyline and numerous different Tcas are very steadying. This implies they can make driving or different errands unsafe.More established individuals may be particularly vulnerable to muddlings, for example, sleepiness, tipsiness and perplexity.Hi everyone, this is Lily Rose from USA. I am completed P.HD in pharmacy. I do lots of work in pharmacy and now I am working in rxplusrx.com. I also write blog on all health related product like Mifegest Kit, Order Dilantin online, Penegra, Buy Elavil antidepressants Online, Pristiq, etc.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Antidepressants are a treatment for moderate or severe depression - onlinepillmart (Richard MacLeod)

Antidepressants are a class of medications that decrease indications of depressive issue by revising substance lopsided characteristics of neurotransmitters in the cerebrum. Substance awkward nature may be in charge of progressions in temperament and conduct. Antidepressants are a type of solution used to treat depression or forestall it repeating.

They can additionally be utilized to treat various situations, as follows:

obsessive-urgent issue (OCD)generalized tension issue (GAD)post-traumatic anxiety issue (PTSD)

Antidepressants are likewise in some cases used to treat individuals with long haul (endless) torment.

Action:

It is thought antidepressants work by expanding levels of a gathering of chemicals in the cerebrum called neurotransmitters. Certain neurotransmitters, for example, serotonin and noradrenalin, can enhance state of mind and feeling, in spite of the fact that this methodology is not completely caught on. Expanding levels of neurotransmitters can likewise disturb agony indicators sent by nerves, which may clarify why a few antidepressants can help alleviate long haul torment.

While antidepressants can help treat the indications of sadness, they don't generally address its causes. This is the reason they are generally utilized within synthesis with treatment to treat more extreme melancholy or other mental wellbeing conditions brought about by passionate pain.

Uses:

Antidepressants are utilized to treat a few conditions. They incorporate, however are not restricted to: wretchedness, summed up nervousness issue, agitation, obsessive impulsive issue (OCD), manic-depressive disorders, childhood enuresis (bedwetting), real depressive issue, diabetic fringe neuropathic ache, neuropathic torment, social uneasiness disorder, posttraumatic anxiety issue (PTSD) and so on.


Reactions:

Antidepressants that have a place with the same class of stimulant produce comparable symptoms. Antidepressants may cause withdrawal manifestations if sharply stopped. Withdrawal side effects incorporate queasiness, retching, psychosis, and seizures. All antidepressants have a cautioning about utilization in youngsters and youths. Antidepressants expanded the danger of self-destructive considering, and self-destructive conduct in fleeting studies in kids and youths with despondency and other psychiatric issue. Anybody considering the utilization of upper in a tyke or immature must adjust this danger ofsuicide with the clinical requirement for the medication. Patients who are begun on treatment ought to be nearly watched for clinical compounding, self-destructive contemplations or curious changes in conduct.

Risk factors:

Any individual who takes antidepressants can encounter repulsive or unsafe reactions; however certain people are at a higher danger:

People in excess of 65. Studies demonstrate that SSRI solutions may build the danger for falls, breaks, and bone misfortune in more seasoned grown-ups.?Pregnant ladies. The utilization of SSRI's late in pregnancy may prompt transient withdrawal manifestations in babies after conveyance. Normal manifestations incorporate tremor, anxiety, gentle respiratory issues, and powerless shout.?Teens and youthful grown-ups. The U.s. Nourishment and Drug Administration oblige all sorrow medicines to incorporate a cautioning name about the expanded danger of suicide in youngsters and adolescent grown-ups.?People who may have bipolar issue. Antidepressants can really exacerbate bipolar issue or trigger a manic scene; there are different medicines accessible for those withHi friends, this is Richard MacLeod from UK. I am completed P.HD in Pharmacy. Now working in onlinepillmart.com as medical adviser. Also i write blog on Men's and women's health also other health related disease; like How to buy Dilantin online, Xenical, buy Abortion Kit online, etc.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Anafranil is a tricyclic antidepressants to treat depression (Lily Wilson Rose)

Anafranil contain Clomipramine belongs to the class of drug recognized as tricyclic antidepressants. It is used to treat mental illness and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). These disorders are related to imbalances of certain brain chemicals. This drug helps to reestablish balance to these chemicals.

Indications:
This drug is used to treat:
1. depression that is longer lasting and/or more severe than the "low moods" that everyone has from time to time due to the stress of everyday life. Depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. This imbalance affects your whole body and can cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feelings of guilt.
2. obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and phobias in adults
3. muscle weakness in people with a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

The symptoms of these disorders vary from person to person. Your doctor can provide you with more information.
Anafranil belongs to a group of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

Dosage:
The suggested adult dose of clomipramine ranges from 25 mg to 200 mg daily in divided doses, preferably with meals and at bedtime. The dose depends on individual conditions, but is usually started low and increased slowly as necessary and as prescribed by the doctor.
Children and adolescents (10 to 17 years old) usually begin with a dose of 25 mg daily, increasing the dose by 25 mg every 3 to 4 days as prescribed by the doctor.
When discontinuing the drug, the dosage should be reduced gradually to stop withdrawal effects.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical factors, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your normal time. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Hi everyone, this is Lily Rose from USA. I am completed P.HD in pharmacy. I do lots of work in pharmacy and now I am working in rxplusrx.com. I also write blog on all health related product like Mifegest Kit, Anafranil Review Online, Penegra, Where to Buy Desyrel Online, Pristiq, etc.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Anafranil is a tricyclic antidepressants to treat depression (Lily Wilson Rose)

Anafranil contain Clomipramine belongs to the class of drug recognized as tricyclic antidepressants. It is used to treat mental illness and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). These disorders are related to imbalances of certain brain chemicals. This drug helps to reestablish balance to these chemicals.

Indications:
This drug is used to treat:
1. depression that is longer lasting and/or more severe than the "low moods" that everyone has from time to time due to the stress of everyday life. Depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. This imbalance affects your whole body and can cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feelings of guilt.
2. obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and phobias in adults
3. muscle weakness in people with a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

The symptoms of these disorders vary from person to person. Your doctor can provide you with more information.
Anafranil belongs to a group of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

Dosage:
The suggested adult dose of clomipramine ranges from 25 mg to 200 mg daily in divided doses, preferably with meals and at bedtime. The dose depends on individual conditions, but is usually started low and increased slowly as necessary and as prescribed by the doctor.
Children and adolescents (10 to 17 years old) usually begin with a dose of 25 mg daily, increasing the dose by 25 mg every 3 to 4 days as prescribed by the doctor.
When discontinuing the drug, the dosage should be reduced gradually to stop withdrawal effects.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical factors, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your normal time. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Hi everyone, this is Lily Rose from USA. I am completed P.HD in pharmacy. I do lots of work in pharmacy and now I am working in rxplusrx.com. I also write blog on all health related product like Mifegest Kit, Anafranil Review Online, Penegra, Where to Buy Desyrel Online, Pristiq, etc.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Anafranil is a tricyclic antidepressants to treat depression (Lily Wilson Rose)

Anafranil contain Clomipramine belongs to the class of drug recognized as tricyclic antidepressants. It is used to treat mental illness and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). These disorders are related to imbalances of certain brain chemicals. This drug helps to reestablish balance to these chemicals.

Indications:
This drug is used to treat:
1. depression that is longer lasting and/or more severe than the "low moods" that everyone has from time to time due to the stress of everyday life. Depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. This imbalance affects your whole body and can cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feelings of guilt.
2. obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and phobias in adults
3. muscle weakness in people with a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

The symptoms of these disorders vary from person to person. Your doctor can provide you with more information.
Anafranil belongs to a group of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

Dosage:
The suggested adult dose of clomipramine ranges from 25 mg to 200 mg daily in divided doses, preferably with meals and at bedtime. The dose depends on individual conditions, but is usually started low and increased slowly as necessary and as prescribed by the doctor.
Children and adolescents (10 to 17 years old) usually begin with a dose of 25 mg daily, increasing the dose by 25 mg every 3 to 4 days as prescribed by the doctor.
When discontinuing the drug, the dosage should be reduced gradually to stop withdrawal effects.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical factors, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your normal time. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Hi everyone, this is Lily Rose from USA. I am completed P.HD in pharmacy. I do lots of work in pharmacy and now I am working in rxplusrx.com. I also write blog on all health related product like Mifegest Kit, Anafranil Review Online, Penegra, Where to Buy Desyrel Online, Pristiq, etc.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How tricyclic antidepressants work

If you haven't read a preface, I'd strongly recommend you to look through it: Part 1, 2, 3.

THE TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS

What are the tricyclics used for ?
Tricyclic antidepressants are used to improve mood in people who are feeling low or depressed. The tricyclics may also be used to help the symptoms of anxiety and a number of other symptoms. The tricyclics are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants but there are many other antidepressants. All these drugs seem to be equally effective at the proper dose but have different side effects to each other. If one drug does not suit you, it may be possible to try another.

How do the tricyclics work ?
The brains has many naturally occurring chemical messengers. Two of these are called serotonin (sometimes called 5-HT) and noradrenaline. Both are important in the areas of the brain that control or regulate mood and thinking. It is known that these two chemical messengers are not as effective or active as normal in the brain when someone is depressed. Tricyclic antidepressants increase the amount of these chemical messengers in the brain. This can help correct the lack of action of these messengers and help to improve mood. The tricyclics can also effect another chemical in the brain called "acetylcholine" and this is the cause of some of their side-effects.

"Reduced" nerve activity but with recycling blocked, and increased messages passes:



Side-effects:
Some antidepressants e.g. the tricyclics and venlafaxine, block the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline.
Unfortunately, these antidepressant drugs also affect other transmitter systems e.g. acetylcholine, dopamine, histamine etc. Some are a bit like "blunderbuss" treatments i.e. they hit the part that seems to be wrong, but also hit lots of other parts which aren't wrong. The side effects you get from drugs are from these extra "hits". The amount that these drugs effect different transmitters varies between drugs and is the reason you get slightly different side effects from each of the different drugs. These can include:

- If you block acetylcholine receptors, it may blunt your reactions, can produce mild sedation and confusion etc. as well as producing a dry mouth, blurred vision etc.
- Affecting your noradrenaline may also sometimes upset your blood pressure e.g. you may feel dizzy when you stand up etc.
- Too much serotonin and you may feel sick, less hungry, get headaches or migraines
If you block histamine receptors, it can make you feel drowsy (just the same as if you take an antihistamine tablet such as "Piriton" for hay fever or allergy).

Source
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How SSRI antidepressants work

We continue listing different types of antidepressants. If you missed the preface, I'd strongly recommend you to read it here: PART 1, 2, 3

SPECIFIC SEROTONIN RE-UPTAKE INHIBITORS

"What are the SSRI's used for ?

SSRIs are antidepressants which are used to help to improve mood in people who are feeling low or depressed. Fluoxetine ("Prozac") may also be used to help treat the eating disorder "Bulimia nervosa". In addition to this, the SSRIs are now widely used to help a variety of other symptoms. These include anxiety (where a lower starting dose often helps), social phobia and social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic, pre-menstrual syndrome and agoraphobia. Some drugs are "licensed" (ie officially approved) for some of these conditions (e.g. paroxetine for social phobia) but this does not necessarily mean the others do not help, just one manufacturer can prove it and has applied for a licence.
Trazodone ("Molipaxin") and nefazodone ("Dutonin") are not strictly pure "SSRIs" but have many of the same effects and so are included in this group for convenience.
The SSRIs are now one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants but there are many other similar drugs. All these antidepressants seem to be equally effective at the proper dose but have different side effects to each other. Apart from nausea, the SSRIs generally have less side effects than the older drugs. If one drug does not suit you, it may be possible to try another. Starting with a lower dose for a week or so may also help the drugs to be more tolerable or have less side effects.

How do the SSRI's work ?
The brains has many naturally occurring chemical messengers. One of these are called serotonin (sometimes called 5-HT) and is important in the areas of the brain that control mood and thinking. It is known that this serotonin is not as effective or active as normal in the brain when someone is feeling depressed. The SSRI antidepressants increase the amount of this serotonin chemical messenger in the brain. This can help correct the lack of action of serotonin and help to improve mood."

"Reduced" nerve activity but with recycling blocked, and increased messages passes:


Side-effects:

SSRI antidepressants mainly block the reuptake of just serotonin. This why they are called the SSRIs ie. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.
Many other antidepressant drugs also affect other transmitter systems e.g. acetylcholine, dopamine, histamine etc. and have many side effects. SSRIs really only block the reuptake of serotonin, and so have less side effects. However, they still have some side effects ;-
- Too much serotonin in some parts of the brain can make you feel sick, less hungry and get headaches or migraines.

Source

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How MAOI Antidepressants work

Now let us look carefully at different types of antidepressants. But before doing this, I'd strongly recommens you to read the preface (Parts 1, 2, 3) before you continue to specific types of medicines.

Mono-Amine Oxidase Inhibitors

As we understood from the preface,
"There are many chemical messengers (or "neurotransmitters") called "monoamines" which occur naturally in the body. One of the effects that monoamines have is on mood. If the levels of monoamines in the body are high we may feel 'high', and if they are low we may feel 'low'. MAOIs stop the breakdown of these monoamines. They block the monoamine oxidase enzyme which breaks down the transmitter, so the next time an impulse comes along, there is more transmitter, a stronger message is passed, and activity in that part of the brain is increased. By stopping the breakdown of these, the MAOIs may bring back the amounts of monoamines to normal. This helps to improve mood in people who are feeling low or depressed."
"Reduced" nerve activity but with (mono-amine oxidase) enzyme blocked (or inhibited), and increased messages passed:

Side-effects:
Some antidepressants e.g. the tricyclics, block the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. Others mainly block the reuptake of just serotonin e.g. the SSRIs. The MAOIs block the monoamine enzyme which breaks down noradrenaline, serotonin and some other transmitters. They are Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.
Unfortunately, the MAOIs also block an enzyme in the body which breaks down other compounds. One of these is an amino acid called tyramine. Tyramine is an essential compound which the body needs, and is found in many foods. However, if you have too much tyramine in the body, it can make your blood pressure rise. Foods such as cheese, yeast and meat extracts etc contain lots of tyramine. If you eat any of these foods while taking an MAOI, your body can not break down (or metabolise) the tyramine. You then get an excess of tyramine in the body, which increases your blood pressure very quickly. This can at cause headaches initially but can be very dangerous and has caused many deaths.
The MAOIs also affect other transmitters which are broken down by the MAO enzyme.
- Affecting your noradrenaline may also sometimes upset your blood pressure e.g. you may feel dizzy when you stand up etc.

Source.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How antidepressants work. PART 3

Here is the last part of the material about Antidepressants and it is actually about them. After 2 long and sweet parts of a preface here is the last one which describes depression build-up process.

"5. Depression
People with depression usually have problems with poor sleep, low mood and appetite, loss of energy and interest or pleasure etc. It is a common illness, affecting 3% of the population per year. The main theory about why this happens is the so-called "monoamine hypothesis".

We know that serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain are involved with control of sleep/wake, emotions, mood, arousal, emotion, drive, temperature regulation, feeding etc. Thus, if a person has too little serotonin and noradrenaline in the part of the brain that controls mood, this will produce too little activity, and that part of the brain become slower and less effective. This will lower mood.

In depression, it is known that there are reduced levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. These reduced levels lead to a lowering of mood. The full reasons are not fully known but stress may well play a part in causing this.

"Normal" communication between cells:

"Reduced" nerve activity e.g. as in depression:

There are lots of other theories about how depression occurs e.g. genetics, how the brain develops, stress etc. There may in fact be many causes and in each person there may be a combination of these. Stress may in fact cause changes in the brain which then result in reduced levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. Transmitters other than much serotonin and noradrenaline are probably also involved.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How antidepressants work. PART 2

Here goes the second part of the material. This one is about neurotransmitters's and receptors' work.

"3. What happens when a message is passed from one cell to another.

1. A brain cell decides to send a message to another cell in order to make something happen e.g. tighten a muscle, release a hormone, think about something, pass on a message etc.

2. An electrical impulse is sent from the brain cell down one of the nerve fibres/neurones towards the end. It travels at about 120 miles per hour.

3. This message or impulse arrives at the end of the nerve fibre. When it arrives, a chemical ("transmitter") is released from the nerve end.

4. The transmitter is then released and travels across the gap between the first nerve fibre and the next/receiving one.

5. The transmitter hits a receptor on the other side. It fits into it just like a key fitting into a lock.

6. When the transmitter hits the receptor, the receptor changes shape. This causes changes inside the nerve ending which sets off an electrical message in that nerve fibre on to the next brain/nerve cell. This sequence then carries on until the effect occurs e.g. the muscle moves etc.

7. The transmitter is either broken down by enzymes (10%) and removed or taken back up again into the nerve ending (i.e. recycled) - a process known as re-uptake.

8. The nerve fibre and synapse is then ready for next message

Important points:- The passage of messages only works one way or one direction- There is only one type of transmitter per synapse- The transmitter allows an electrical message to be turned into a chemical message and back into an electrical message.

4. "Transmitters"

Although there are over 80 known different "transmitters" in the brain, each nerve ending only has one type. These "neurotransmitters" tend to be grouped together and each seems to have specific roles e.g.:

Serotonin or 5-HT - In the brain, it controls mood, emotions, sleep/wake, feeding, temperature regulation, etc.Too much serotonin and you feel sick, less hungry, get headaches or migraines.Too little and you feel depressed, drowsy etc.

Dopamine - there are three main groups (or pathways) of dopamine neurones in the brain.In the brain, one group controls muscle tension and another controls e.g. emotions, perceptions, sorting out what is real/important/imaginary etc.Not enough dopamine in the first group and your muscles tighten up (e.g. as in Parkinson's Disease).Too much dopamine in the second group gives you an overactive brain i.e. too much "perception e.g. you may see, hear or imagine things that are not real

Noradrenaline (NA) - (sometimes called "norepinephrine" or NE)In the brain, it controls sleep, wakefulness, arousal, mood, emotion and drive.Too much noradrenaline and you may feel anxious, jittery etc.Too little and you may feel depressed, sedated, dizzy, have low blood pressure etc.

Acetylcholine (ACh) - In the brain, it controls arousal, the ability to use memory, learning tasks etc.Too much in your body and your muscles tighten up.Too little can produce dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation, as well as becoming confused, drowsy, slow at learning etc.

Glutamate - Acts as an "accelerator" in the brainToo much and you become anxious, excited and some parts of your brain may become overactive.Too little and you may become drowsy or sedated

GABA - Acts as a "brake" in the brainToo much and you become drowsy or sedated.Too little and you may become anxious and excited

In many mental health problems, it is known that some of these transmitters get out of balance e.g. you have too much or too little of a particular transmitter."

Seems like now you should understand the basic processes in your brain. Now let's head to PART 3 and see how depression develops.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How antidepressants work. PART 1

Today I searched for some clear explanation on how SSRI antidepressants work, that will not resemble an encyclopedic article with dozens of medical terms on top of each other.

And I’ve found it. Call it love from the first sight if you wish but the article I am quoting below is amazingly clear and simple for understanding. I am dividing it into 3 parts + several separate posts about each type of antidepressants. First part explains how our brain works. Second part gives a basic review on neuron transmitters. Third part – and depression develops.
If you have a clear picture on these subjects you may then skip these parts and move to medications descriptions.

PART 1

1. The brain



“In order to try to understand a little about how drugs work, it is best to first learn a few facts about the brain. Each human being has: One head. One brain. Each brain has somewhere around 10,000,000,000 brain cells. Each brain cell has lots of connections with other brain cells by means of nerve fibres (the wiring connecting brain cells together). There are about 4 million miles of nerve fibres in each brain. Some fibres may have up to 10,000 branches in them. Each brain cell has lots of connections with other cells, possibly over 25,000! The junctions at the end of the neurones are called synapses.

2. A Synapse

Synapses are very important because:
They are the route by which brain cells talk to each other
Synapses are of the same basic design in the brain, the heart, the legs etc.
There are a lot of them If we can get chemicals (e.g. drugs) into the gap between them in the brain, we can affect the way in which brain cells talk to each other e.g. we can slow the messages down, speed the up etc.

A synapse looks like this:




In the drawing you will see the following:

- Axon - A neurone (or cell body) has many axons (or nerve fibres).
- Vesicles - these contain the transmitter.
- Transmitters - these are small chemicals used by brain cells as messengers. They are stored in the vesicles in the nerve ending ready to be released
- Receptors - these are structures on the surface of the receiving cell which have a space designed just for the transmitter (if the transmitter is a key, receptors are the lock into which they fit)
- Enzymes - these surround the synapse and break down any spare transmitter that might leak out to other synapses nearby. - Electrical signal - This is the way in which one brain cell sends a message to another. The signal travels down the nerve fibre rather like an electrical "Mexican Wave".”

Sounds pretty simple, huh? Let’s move to PART 2

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Key points about antidepressant therapy

One more thing before I start describing different kinds of antidepressants. Well actually here are 13 things - some key points about antidepressant therapy that can be useful for both those who take their medicine already and those who is about to start. These tips will help you to understand some basics and answer most of the frequently asked questions about antidepressants.

"- It takes from two to six weeks for an antidepressant to begin to work. You may feel worse before you feel better because side effects can occur almost immediately, whereas therapeutic benefits appear later. The good news is that most side effects dissipate within days or weeks.

- Antidepressants are not habit-forming and are not drugs of abuse.

- Do not despair if the first medication does not work. Finding the appropriate medication(s) and dosages may take time. The good news is that many different antidepressants are available.
- The most frequent reason for an antidepressant “failure” is that the dose was too low and the duration of treatment too short.

- Feeling better is not a good reason for discontinuing or reducing your medications. Individuals often are tempted to stop medication too soon, risking relapse or recurrence.

- For individuals with bipolar disorder or recurrent major depression, medication may have to become part of everyday life to avoid return of disabling symptoms.

- You should never mix medications of any kind—prescribed, over-the counter, herbs, or borrowed—without consulting a doctor.

- Some drugs, like alcohol, reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and should be avoided. This includes wine, beer and hard liquor.

- Some drugs, which are usually safe when taken alone, can cause severe and dangerous side effects if taken with other drugs. Always tell dentists, pharmacists and other medical specialists that you are taking antidepressants.

- If you have been prescribed an MAOI (such as Parnate or Nardil), you will have to avoid certain foods and over-the-counter medications. Be sure to get a complete list of disallowed foods and medications from your doctor and always carry it with you.

- Antianxiety drugs, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax), are not antidepressants. They are sometimes prescribed along with antidepressant therapy, but should not be taken alone for a depressive disorder.

- Scientific studies suggest that patients with three or more episodes of depression or two severe episodes may need to be maintained on antidepressants indefinitely. The maintenance dose should be the same as the dose required to achieve an initial therapeutic response.

- Antidepressants work best in most individuals when prescribed alongside a course of psychotherapy. People taking both medication and engaging in psychotherapy generally take less time to feel better and maintain their gains longer than those taking antidepressant medications alone."

Tips are taken from here

Take care!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Special populations and depression therapy

Today I would like to start speaking about antidepressant therapy as the most common depression cure method. However, before listing different medications in-depth I'll begin with short advices for the below-mentioned groups:

"When deciding on therapy, some clinically depressed patients require special considerations:

Bipolar disorder -- these patients have extreme mood swings (periods of excessive high spirits followed by severe depressive episodes). Typically, the antidepressants are augmented with mood stabilizers.

Children/adolescents -- The SSRI fluoxetine is the only effective (and approved) antidepressant for this age group. There have been reports that children on antidepressants are more likely to commit suicide than those who are not on antidepressants; while some data suggest that this may be true, it has not been proven conclusively. Primary care providers need to weigh the risks of antidepressant therapy versus untreated depression. Most often, treatment carries fewer risks of suicide than non-treatment.

Pregnant/postpartum women -- Depression can be a common symptom during pregnancy and postpartum -- it usually corrects itself, but sometimes severe depression must be treated (in about 10 percent of pregnant/postpartum women). Antidepressants can pass to the fetus and through breast milk. The effects of antidepressants on the developing fetus and newborn are not well known. Therefore, doctors should carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment.

Treatment for depression is not a short-term process but a long-term project with specific goals of remission and maintenance. Multiple approaches of medication, psychotherapy and patient education are most effective in the treatment of MDD. Close consultation with a physician and/or psychiatrist can provide the best treatment options".

Source

Now good luck and you can now proceed to:

- Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonin Antidepressants (NaSSA)
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI)
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)
reade more... Résuméabuiyad