Depression Anxiety Medications

The newer depression anxiety medications, especially the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are generally preferred over the older medications.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), have more frequent and more severe potential side effects.

Both generations of depression anxiety medications are effective in relieving depression. The decision is usually made based on the expected side effects and how they impact the person's particular situation.

Some people will respond to one type of drug, but not another.

Bipolarity and Depression Anxiety Medication

Treating bipolar spectrum disorders with one of these medications can trigger mania, hypomania or severe irritability, anger outbursts or suicidal behavior.

Treating depression with a mood stabilizer, on the other hand, will not do harm, may help or may not have any effect. It is the safest pharmacological approach.

Bipolarity is more likely in people who

• have a family history of bipolar disorder,


• have had failures on standard depression anxiety medications,


• have had adverse reactions to standard antidepressants,


• have had a long course of illness,


• and have experienced mania or hypomania.

It is not necessary to have had a manic or hypomanic episode to have a bipolar spectrum disorder.

Read more on this subject......

Depression Anxiety Medications in Older Adults

Findings will give us important information about the course and treatment of late-life depression.

Further research will be needed to determine the role of hormonal factors in the development of depression in older adults.

This will help to learn if hormone replacement therapy with estrogens or androgens is helpful in the treatment of late-life depression.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• faster relief of symptoms as compared to standard therapy alone



• less 'down time' before daily routine can be resumed



• usually can be managed with few side effects



• more complete resolution of symptoms than with therapy alone



• reduces cost of therapy by shortening the course



• more rapid return or start of healthy exercise and nutrition practices

Disadvantages:

• some side effects can be unpleasant or unsafe



• may be seen as a substitute for lifestyle changes or therapy



• may take several trials to arrive at an effective drug, dose or combination



• cost of medication itself might be unmanageable

Common Types of Depression Anxiety Medications

Adjunctive Medications

Precautions

This may be due to the use of these drugs in misdiagnosed bipolar disorders.

Patients who are started on therapy should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidal thinking or behavior, or other unusual changes in behavior. Adult and pediatric patients taking antidepressant medications should be watched closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal.

This is especially important when therapy is first started, or when their dose is increased or decreased.

Patients should also be watched for increases in agitation, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, or restlessness.

Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's prescriber right away.

When people suddenly stop using or quickly lower daily doses of any depression anxiety medications, discontinuation symptoms may occur.

Talk to your prescriber before discontinuing or reducing your dose of any medication.

Pregnant or nursing women shouldn't take any antidepressant without consulting their obstetric or pediatric provider.

Before starting any of the depression anxiety medications, tell your prescriber about any medicines you're taking.

This means any over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements or naturopathic remedies.

Until you see how the antidepressant medications affect you, be careful doing such activities as driving a car or operating machinery.

Drug Interactions

Some depression anxiety medications may raise blood pressure in some patients.

Your blood pressure should be controlled before starting treatment and should be monitored regularly.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants. Alcohol is a depressant of the central nervous system, and can interact negatively with antidepressant drugs.

Also, taking a depression anxiety medication, and then opposing that chemical action with a depressant (alcohol) is counter productive.

It just doesn't make much sense to be using it when you are trying to get rid of the depression!

Adverse Side Effects

• constipation,



• dizziness,



• dry mouth,



• insomnia,



• loss of appetite,



• nausea,



• nervousness,



• sexual side effects,



• sleepiness,



• sweating,



• and weakness.

Ask your prescriber about the specific side effects of the drug being considered for you.

Some studies have shown a relationship between SSRIs and suicidal behavior.

For this reason, anyone taking depression anxiety medications must be closely monitored by the prescribing professional until safety is assured.

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