subject: Learning About Types Of Antidepressant Drugs [print this page] Learning About Types Of Antidepressant Drugs
Depression diagnosis is a very harrowing experience in life, but it's not impossible to treat. There are a lot of different types of antidepressants that can treat this disorder. There are three types of antidepressants: SSRI, MAOI, and TCA. The psychiatrist usually gives anti-anxiety drugs or alternatively, mood stabilizers. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRIs blocks serotonin from being reabsorbed. When this happens, more serotonin is available for the brain creating a normal balance and preventing depression symptoms. This type of antidepressant is a first line of defense against depression since it is considered very effective. Majority of SSRI drugs in the market include zoloft, prozac, and lexapro. The second line of antidepressants drugs are tricyclic antidepressants or TCA. This type of antidepressant also works much the same way as SSRI, blocking dopamine and norepinephrine from being absorbed.
SSRIs have after effects, but TCA has more than their fair share of after effects. One of the commonest effect of TCA is sensitivity to sunlight. Since this type of antidepressant also affects a larger scope of cells, patients experiencing other health problems should really avoid TCA. The common generic names for these drugs include Vivactil, Sinequan, and Norpramind. Of the three different types of antidepressants, MAOI is the least used and is usually the last resort when it comes to the treatment of depression. This type of drug has the most severe side effects. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOI breaks down three types of chemicals: norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Once this is done, the cells' balance is restored and the patient's mood is greatly improved. One other condition that should be taken seriously when on MAOI treatment is to avoid certain types of foods that contain the amino acid tyramine.
If you don't want to suffer the adverse side effects of MAOI, refrain from eating chocolates, wine specifically red, and bananas. If you persist on taking these stuff together with MAOI, you'll end up with high blood pressure or even stroke. Although MAOI has been in use since time immemorial, their effectivity makes them very usable. New updates on the drug industry include Ensam. This type of drug helps lessen its effects over a 24-hour period of drug release on the patient. To know more about the different types of antidepressants, it's best to consult the services of a psychiatrist.
