Antidepressants

Antidepressants are prescription medicines for depression and other mental health conditions like anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Depression is a mood disorder that makes an individual feel sad always with a reluctance toward the activities s/he once used to enjoy. Depression hampers one memory, motivation, thoughts, appetite, and sleep cycle. Mental health disorder often starts in early childhood. The symptoms are more vivid in women than men, but that doesn’t mean it is limited to a specific age or gender. Individuals beyond the limitation of age or gender can fall victim to depression. Antidepressants balance certain chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. The medicines function effectively to soothe depression symptoms.

Antidepressants were invented in the 1950s. The medicine intake is one type of treatment method to cure depression. The medication treats the symptoms of depression but does not always address the root causes. Medical professionals often prescribe psychotherapy accompanied by antidepressants. Researchers have invented several types of medications later. In today’s time, antidepressants have become one of the most frequently used medications in and across the United States.

Conditions that Antidepressants treat

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved the use of antidepressants in the conditions mentioned below:

• Clinical depression and other depressive disorders
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Bulimia Nervosa (An eating disorder)
• Bipolar Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Panic disorder

Different antidepressants function variedly, and the side effects are also different.  Remember, sometimes doctors prescribe antidepressants to treat other health conditions, but this is not the correct use of the medication. At times, doctors prescribe antidepressants for chronic pain, insomnia, and migraine. The medication method is considered as off-label, or non-FDA approved.

Types of Antidepressants

According to mental health experts, certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are linked with depression – serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, in particular. Antidepressants relieve depression by working on the neurotransmitters, which are known as chemical messengers. Each medication treats the neurotransmitters in different ways.

Antidepressants are available in many types – 

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs usually cause few side effects and cause fewer problems even when taken at higher doses compared to other antidepressants. SSRIs include paroxetine, fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and escitalopram. 

• Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs include antidepressants like duloxetine, venlafaxine, levomilnacipran, and desvenlafaxine. 

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) 

MAOIs are effective when other medicines don’t work. Doctors must be extremely careful when suggesting these antidepressants. The medication may have serious interactions with food that contain tyramine. The medicines cannot be taken simultaneously with SSRIs again due to the high level of interaction. The antidepressants include tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, and phenelzine. 

• Tricyclic Antidepressants 

Tricyclic antidepressants have been recorded to cause more side effects than the new antidepressants. Doctors don’t usually prescribe these depressants unless you have already been on other antidepressants that didn’t have any impact. The class medicines include imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, desipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine, amozapine, and doxepin. 

• Atypical Antidepressants 

These antidepressants are termed atypical as they don’t fit into other antidepressant categories. The medicines prescribed the most are trazodone, vilazodone, mirtazapine, bupropion, and vortioxetine. 

• Serotonin Modulators 
• N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) 

How to take Antidepressants?

Antidepressants typically come in tablet or pill forms to be taken orally. You intake the pills with water. In the beginning, your healthcare provider will prescribe you the lowest possible dose of antidepressants required to soothe your symptoms. With time, the doctor may increase the dose if necessary. It takes weeks to months before you feel the betterment from within. In case you suffer from chronic or severe depression, your doctor may recommend the medicine to ensure your stable mental health in the long run.

Antidepressants: Side Effects

Each class of antidepressant has its own set of possible side effects. It’s essential to talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of the specific medicine you would take. However, the common side effects include,

• General Sickness: Headache, dizziness and drowsiness, sweating, dry mouth
• Gastronomical Symptoms: Diarrhea, Constipation, Loss of Appetite, Indigestion
• Nerve Concerns: Agitation, shakiness, feeling of nervousness
• Fast heartbeat and palpitations
• Vision Problems: blurry vision
• Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
• Sexual dysfunction
• Lack of sleep, disturbed sleep

The recipients may experience some, many or none of these side effects. Side effects are usually mild and fade away with time. You must talk to your healthcare provider if you experience these odd side effects. The medical experts may adjust the dose or change the medicine altogether.

Potential Risks of Antidepressant Intake

As per the studies, the effects and benefits of antidepressants depend on the seriousness of depression. The more severe the depression, the more the effectiveness will be. Doctors prescribe antidepressants to treat moderate, severe, and chronic depression effectively. These high-dose medications do not usually treat mild depression. Each type of antidepressant comes with potential health risks.

• Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome occurs when the hormone level gets too high, especially when it happens under the influence of combined antidepressant medicines. The symptoms are seizures, confusion, irregular heartbeat, unconsciousness, or twitching in muscles. 

• Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia refers to low sodium in the blood. It occurs when there is a drastic drop in salt levels in the body. It is mostly experienced by older adults who are on antidepressants. Symptoms include headache, disorientation, seizures, and muscle pain. 

• Suicidal Thoughts 

Individuals, mostly young people, who start taking antidepressants think of self-harm. The symptoms can occur in different dose intakes. Medical attention is an immediate need. If you or anyone close to you suffers from the symptom, you must consult a doctor or visit the nearest medical clinic. 

• Diabetes 

Individuals who take antidepressants are at a higher risk of developing type 2 Diabetes.

The health risks are less frequent than the common side effects of antidepressants. The symptoms worsen into severe conditions where you can receive support from a doctor or a mental healthcare expert. In case you or anyone close to you have suicidal behavior, dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Helpline. Someone is always available to help you there.

Overdose of Antidepressants

In case one takes antidepressants with a dose more than required, it’s considered to be an overdose. The toxicity of the medicine varies. It is essential to talk to your healthcare provider about the risk of an overdose before intake. Take your medicine under prescription and keep the medicine safe and out of the reach of children and pets.

Tricyclic antidepressants pose the highest risk if you take the medicine in overdose. When you suspect a medicine overdose, contact medical help right away. Symptoms to suspect an antidepressant overdose include,

• Fast heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• High blood pressure
• Drowsiness and dizziness
• Rigid muscles
• Mental confusion
• Coma

Different classes of antidepressants come with different sets of overdose symptoms. You must talk to your doctor about the overdose signs and symptoms of the specific category of antidepressant medicine. For instance, SSRI overdose leads to high blood pressure.

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome hits when you suddenly stop taking the medicine after taking it for at least six weeks at a stretch. The discontinuation symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms – headache, body ache, fatigue, excessive sweat
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Tingling, burning, and shock-like sensation
• Anxiety and irritability
• Nausea
• Insomnia

Do not stop your antidepressant course midway without a doctor’s suggestion. It needs safety considerations before you stop the medicine. The symptoms take at least four weeks to fade away by lowering the dose.

Health Considerations

When it concerns treating depression, medication options may vary from person to person. It takes time to decide the ideal medication for your depression. If you take medication for depression, your doctor may begin with the lowest dose, increasing it slowly to see what dose works perfectly for you.

Ask your doctor about the course duration and medication dose. You must report to your doctor what medicines you are currently on and what health issues you have. You must inform whether you have specific health issues. In that case, the doctor may advise another medication that is more effective in relieving depression.

Buy Antidepressants with Global Care Meds

Order the best-quality antidepressants at Global Care Meds under your doctor’s prescription to treat your mental health concerns. Antidepressants available at GCM include Duxel 20mg, Sertraline 50mg, Tofisopam 100mg, Citalopram 20mg, Citalopram 40mg, Fluvoxamine 20mg, Fluvoxamine 40mg, Fluvoxamine 50mg, Fluvoxamine 100mg, and Escitalopram 10mg.

The medicines are available in different doses and prescribed based on the individual’s mental health needs. Rely on reliable, premium-quality medicines from GCM to restore your normal flow of life with a refreshed mind.