Information about the types of depression medications and important facts you need to know about them.
1. What Are the Different Types of Depression Medications?
Three basic molecules, known chemically as monoamine, are thought to play a role in mood regulation: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Depression medications, called antidepressants, are categorized by how they affect these chemicals.2. Where Can I Find Reliable Drug Information?
In order to provide you with quality information about your medications, About.com has partnered with Gold Standard, a leading developer of drug information databases and software. Gold Standard is a provider of drug information for many hospitals, pharmacies and medical schools across the U.S. so you can trust them to provide you with reliable and timely information about your prescription drugs.3. How Do Antidepressants Work?
Antidepressants work by affecting levels of chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are believed to regulate mood. Different classes of antidepressants affect these neurotransmitters in different ways.4. Are Antidepressants Safe During Pregnancy?
Mothers who become pregnant while taking an antidepressant are forced to make a difficult choice. Should they stop taking their medication in order to ensure the health of their baby, or should they continue to take their antidepressant to ensure that they don't become depressed? Each has pros and cons.5. What Side Effects Can I Expect?
In addition to searching the About.com Drug Finder, you can obtain information about potential side effects from the package insert which comes with your medication, from your doctor or pharmacist and from the manufacturer's Web site. You can supplement this information and learn how others are dealing with these side effects by talking with other patients. Our Side Effects Index is a collection of people's real experiences with various medications.6. How Can I Reduce Sexual Dysfunction?
Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect with many antidepressants, in particular SSRIs. Patients may experience low libido, erectile dysfunction and difficulties with orgasm. These are the top doctor-recommended tips for coping with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.7. How Can I Avoid Discontinuation Symptoms?
With certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs (Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft) and SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta), it is possible that you will experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue and electric shock sensations if you stop taking them too abruptly. This article discusses possible methods to alleviate these symptoms. It is not meant to constitute medical advice, but rather presents ideas from experts in psychiatric medications that you can discuss with your own physician. You should never discontinue a medication without speaking to your doctor.8. How Does My Doctor Select My Antidepressant?
The selection of an antidepressant is not nearly so random as it might feel. There is a definite logic behind the sequence of antidepressants that your doctor will try as he seeks the right one for you.9. Should I Avoid Alcohol?
Alcohol is incompatible with many depression drugs. It can intensify the sedative effects of some antidepressants. Chronic alcohol use can increase the levels of some antidepressants in your blood while decreasing the levels of others. Tyramine, found in beer and wine, can interact with MAOIs, potentially causing a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Consult your physician for specific precautions regarding your own medications.If you are having difficulty abstaining from alcohol, it is possible that you have been self-medicating your depression.
