Hello Everybody. The world of anti-depressants (A/D) medication is a very confusing one. So with the help of www.crazymeds.us www.drugs.com , wikipedia and a host of others, here are a few facts. Please accept that these are generalities and not scientific data
1) A/Ds tend to work by targeting neurotransmitters in the brain. Sometimes specific ones, sometimes multiple one.
2) Not all A/Ds target the same neurotransmitters. SSRI's (cipralex, celex etc) target serotonin, NDRI's(wellbutrin) target norepinephrine and dopamine and NRI's (strattera)targets primaraly just norepinephrine.
3)A host of other A/D's target other things as well. My point is, if wellbutrin works great for you it may or may not work as well for somebody who takes cipralex that targets different neurotransmitters.
4) There are roughly 40 different A/Ds in 8 differnet classes.
5) roughly 2/3's are in common usage, if your doc sez you've tried them all, He's either not up to date or you have my sympathy.
6) there are also mood stabilizers used to help eliminate mood swings, they are in fact all anti-convuslants except for lithium. There are also meds known as augmenter drugs to increase the effectivness of A/Ds.
7) sometimes antipsychotics are used.
8) Length of time before results are seen. 2-6wks
9) Anyone who does not feel better after 3 mths should talk to their doc.
10) Intial changes of success of any one A/D 40-50% providing your doc thinks a little.
11)Chance of success of second and subsequent A/D, still 40-50%
12) Chance of failure of a previously successfull A/D in first year 20%
13) Second and subsequent yrs, very high.
14)Black box warning. A warning on prescription med boxes mandated by the FDA in the U.S. We have nothing similiar.
15 Read the product information carefully, go to www.drug.com and ck for interactions. Sometimes something as simple as cough syrup can disrupte your medicine or worse yet interact with it.
16) Pay close attention to potential side effects, including rare ones. Some side effects can kill you, being rare doesn't help then.
17) Booze, pot and A/Ds simple do not mix in large quanities. I'm not saying you cannot have a drink or three, but booze alters our mood and depression is classed as a mood disorder. Plus some like wellbutrin are already known for making your liver work harder.
18)Some people who are not bipolar have had hypomanic episodes from A/Ds. Its not a big problem, but something to be watched for.
19) A small percentage of people with bipolar will suffer rapid cycling or manic episodes due to A/Ds
20) Best none med way to fight depression. CBT, Cognetive behavioural therapy when taught by a highly trained professional. Take Care. paul m
1) A/Ds tend to work by targeting neurotransmitters in the brain. Sometimes specific ones, sometimes multiple one.
2) Not all A/Ds target the same neurotransmitters. SSRI's (cipralex, celex etc) target serotonin, NDRI's(wellbutrin) target norepinephrine and dopamine and NRI's (strattera)targets primaraly just norepinephrine.
3)A host of other A/D's target other things as well. My point is, if wellbutrin works great for you it may or may not work as well for somebody who takes cipralex that targets different neurotransmitters.
4) There are roughly 40 different A/Ds in 8 differnet classes.
5) roughly 2/3's are in common usage, if your doc sez you've tried them all, He's either not up to date or you have my sympathy.
6) there are also mood stabilizers used to help eliminate mood swings, they are in fact all anti-convuslants except for lithium. There are also meds known as augmenter drugs to increase the effectivness of A/Ds.
7) sometimes antipsychotics are used.
8) Length of time before results are seen. 2-6wks
9) Anyone who does not feel better after 3 mths should talk to their doc.
10) Intial changes of success of any one A/D 40-50% providing your doc thinks a little.
11)Chance of success of second and subsequent A/D, still 40-50%
12) Chance of failure of a previously successfull A/D in first year 20%
13) Second and subsequent yrs, very high.
14)Black box warning. A warning on prescription med boxes mandated by the FDA in the U.S. We have nothing similiar.
15 Read the product information carefully, go to www.drug.com and ck for interactions. Sometimes something as simple as cough syrup can disrupte your medicine or worse yet interact with it.
16) Pay close attention to potential side effects, including rare ones. Some side effects can kill you, being rare doesn't help then.
17) Booze, pot and A/Ds simple do not mix in large quanities. I'm not saying you cannot have a drink or three, but booze alters our mood and depression is classed as a mood disorder. Plus some like wellbutrin are already known for making your liver work harder.
18)Some people who are not bipolar have had hypomanic episodes from A/Ds. Its not a big problem, but something to be watched for.
19) A small percentage of people with bipolar will suffer rapid cycling or manic episodes due to A/Ds
20) Best none med way to fight depression. CBT, Cognetive behavioural therapy when taught by a highly trained professional. Take Care. paul m
I'm not looking forward to that one ...
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