| Medications
prescribed by doctors or hospitals to specifically treat depression
are referred to as antidepressants, and certain kinds of antidepressants
have proven to be very successful in fighting symptoms of
depression by increasing the availability of natural chemicals,
called neurotransmitters, to the depressed person’s
brain for better brain functioning.
Antidepressants are generally prescribed for a period of four
months up to half a year. After this initial round of treatment,
doctors often discuss the continuation of treatment with their
patients after the first round of antidepressants, and the
decision is made to stop taking the drug or continue with
the prescription. Any serious medication has the potential
for side effects, and antidepressants may cause side effects
to your general health, depending upon the kind of medication
that has been prescribed.
Prescription antidepressants range from selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to tricyclic antidepressants.
SSRIs include some well-known brand names to consumers like
Celexa, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. SSRI medications are particularly
popular as they are believed to have lessor amounts of side
effects than tricyclic antidepressants, but side effects can
still occur including dry mouth, insomnia, nausea and sexual
difficulties. Tricyclic antidepressants have been around for
some time, with brand names like Elavil, Norpramin, Tofranil,
Pamelor and Surmentil. These medications are more commonly
known to produce irritating side effects like blurred vision,
constipation, impaired thinking and tiredness, or even more
serious side effects to your health including affecting blood
pressure or heart rate in your body.
There are also antidepressants available that work differently
than the medications listed above, including brand name prescriptions
like Effexor, Remeron, Desyrel, Serzone and Wellbutrin. Side
effects of these types of antidepressants can range from one
or more symptoms of nausea or nervousness, dry mouth or tiredness,
insomnia, or weight gain, all varying according to the specific
brand name.
Although the side effects of antidepressants can seem daunting,
it’s still worth investigating the types of drugs available
to aid in relieving your clinical depression. So speak to
your doctor or a health professional like a pharmacist who
can advise you and increase your health knowledge for a better,
healthier life!
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