A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications

While it may be easy to recite the various brand names and generalize their benefits enough to know they put us (or are supposed to put us) in a better mood, for lack of a better term, the drugs themselves can all be categorized individually, each working in a slightly different way.

The following is a list and very brief description, by category, of depression and anxiety medications currently prescribed by physicians.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs, which are fairly new to the arsenal of depression and anxiety medications, have gained immense popularity among prescribing psychiatrists within the past 10 years. They are usually prescribed during the early stages of depression, if a person has sought help and behavioral and/or psychotherapy has not proven effective enough. With appropriate dosage, SSRIs can "catch" depression before it becomes severe. Although they do not work for 20% to 40% of people who try them, their ability to work for people with minor (and even major) depressive illnesses makes them attractive enough to prescribing psychiatrists to try them first before moving on to more serious depression and anxiety medications and methods, if need be. SSRIs work on serotonin, one of the brain's three neurotransmitters.

SSRIs Brand name (chemical name)

Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline)

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MOAIs)

MAOIs are the type of depression and anxiety medications that work for people who are mildly depressed, develop mild depression over a long period of time, are overly sensitive to their environment, or who are easily able to emerge from periods of depression. People who demonstrate an excess of a particular activity (ie, overeating, oversleeping, emotional overreaction) as compensation with stress can benefit from MAOIs, which work on the three neurotransmitters (called monoamines) found in the brain: norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These are usually only prescribed when a person hasn't responded to any of the other types of depression and anxiety medications.

A strict diet must be followed if taking an MAOI, because in conjunction with certain foods, the body can react with elevated blood pressure, headaches, fluctuating blood sugar (for people with diabetes), and in more severe cases, brain hemorrhage. Because of these risks, MAOIs were taken off the American market for a while, but were reintroduced for patients who haven't had luck with any other depression and anxiety medications.

MAOIs Brand name (chemical name)

Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine)

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Tricyclics have been available longer than any other depression and anxiety medications. In 1958, the first tricyclic, imipramine (Tofranil), was released to help combat major depression, and physicians saw a 70% positive response within their patients. Previously the only treatments for severely depressed patients were amphetamines and electroshock therapy. TCAs increase the brain's supply of serotonin and norepinephrine, two of the brain's three neurotransmitters, but it also affects some of the brain's other nerve impulses as well, and this allows for more side effects.

Severely depressed and/or hospitalized patients see the most benefit from taking TCAs because of its sedative effect. In the past, patients were usually prescribed tricyclics before anything else, but with the movement of psychiatrists (and patients!) toward heading off depression before it becomes severe and/or chronic, TCAs are now usually only prescribed if the other types of depression and anxiety medications don't work.

TCAs Brand name (chemical name)

Adapin (doxepin), Anafranil (clomipramine) , Elavil (amitriptyline), Endep (amitriptyline), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Norpramin (desipramine) , Pamelor (nortryptyline), Pertofrane (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), Vivactil (protriptyline)

Non-specified or "Other" depression and anxiety medications Because their chemical make-ups do not fit into any of the other categories, the following list of depression and anxiety medications can only be termed as "other." Wellbutrin, Desyrel, Remeron, and Effexor are prescribed most. Each of the four drugs affects at least one of the brain's three neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine), and as a result, each has its own particular set of side effects. As a result, psychiatrists are much more likely to prescribe one of the other types of depression and anxiety medications (SSRIs, MAOIs, TCAs) before switching to one of these. In some instances, a patient's regimen is augmented by combining an SSRI or TCA with an"other" depression and anxiety medications, but because of an MAOI's particular chemical make-up and dietary requirements, it is prescribed alone.

Brand names (chemical names) of Non-specified depression and anxiety medications

Buspar (buspirone), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Desyrel (trazodone) , Effexor (venlafaxine), Edronax, Vestra (reboxetine), Remeron (mirtazapine), Serzone (nefazodone), Wellbutrin (bupropion).

In August of 2004, the FDA approved the investigational drug Cymbaltaâ?¢ (duloxetine HCl), which demonstrated rapid relief of anxiety symptoms associated with depression that was sustained for the length of the study period, according to new data published in the journal Depression and Anxiety. In clinical studies, researchers attribute the medication's effect on a broad spectrum of depression symptoms, which include emotional and painful physical symptoms as well as anxiety, to its dual reuptake inhibition of both serotonin and norepinephrine.

Learn more about treating depression at http://www.e-mentalhealth.com

Charles E. Donovan

Author

Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:53:55 GMT Madge Kabbalah'd A-Rod into Submission - TMZ.com ABC News Madge Kabbalah'd A-Rod into Submission TMZ.com - 6 hours ago Madonna is using "mind control" through the power of Kabbalah to mesmerize A-Rod into making him her boytoy, according to friends of his wife. A-Rod's wife tells pals she believes Madonna lured Yank with kabbalah New York Daily News Kabbalah Kool-Aid: Madonna's 'soulmate' to divorce Monsters and Critics.com Reuters - ABC News - E! Online all 1,426 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:49:58 GMT Mosquito disease risk isn’t higher - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel NY1 Mosquito disease risk isn’t higher Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - 15 hours ago By JEANNINE AQUINO The swarms of mosquitoes spawned by warm weather and lingering floodwaters in Wisconsin are more blood-sucking nuisance than medical peril, health officials said Thursday. West Nile Spreads Due to Flooding, Threatens 4th of July Celebrations eFluxMedia Mosquito district warns: Watch out for West Nile Virus Sacramento Bee WJBF-TV - IdahoStatesman.com - phillyBurbs.com - Atlanta Journal Constitution all 431 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:43:41 GMT Flames descend canyons in Santa Barbara Co. fire - San Jose Mercury News Reuters South Africa Flames descend canyons in Santa Barbara Co. fire San Jose Mercury News - 41 minutes ago AP GOLETA - A fast-moving wildfire fueled by Santa Barbara County's notorious "sundowner" winds consumed about a half-dozen outbuildings overnight, but firefighters were able to save hundreds of homes from intense flames in the pre-dawn hours, ... Firefighters hold line on two California wildfires Reuters Goleta fire doubles in size overnight Los Angeles Times Bloomberg - CNN International - San Diego Union Tribune - The Santa Barbara Independent all 399 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:12:01 GMT Obama remarks on Iraq prompts flip-flop charge - CNN Times Online Obama remarks on Iraq prompts flip-flop charge CNN - 2 hours ago (CNN) -- Sen. John McCain's campaign again called Sen. Barack Obama a flip-flopper after the Democratic candidate held a do-over news conference to clarify his remarks on the Iraq war. Analysis: Obama's shifts to center give GOP ammo The Associated Press Obama Fuels Pullout Debate With Remarks New York Times WCTV - Monsters and Critics.com - Los Angeles Times - ABC News all 1,014 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:23:39 GMT Borowski designated for assignment - MLB.com TSN.ca Borowski designated for assignment MLB.com - 1 hour ago By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com Looking to repair their battered bullpen and get a better read on what the future holds, the Indians designated the veteran Borowski for assignment on Friday. Indians designate RHP Joe Borowski for assignment The Associated Press New closer alert! Borowski out in Cleveland SportingNews.com National Post - Most Valuable Network - The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com - WANE all 141 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:59:25 GMT Christina Applegate's Boyfriend Found Dead - FOXNews NEWS.com.au Christina Applegate's Boyfriend Found Dead FOXNews - 3 hours ago AP LOS ANGELES - "Married With Children" star Christina Applegate’s boyfriend was found dead in his apartment on Tuesday, FOX News has learned. Lee Grivas, Christina Applegate's Boyfriend, Found Dead Associated Content Christina Applegate's sometime boyfriend, Lee Grivas, found dead New York Daily News E! Online - Los Angeles Times - TheCelebrityCafe.com - TMZ.com all 112 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:22:05 GMT Chance discovery points to crib death cause - Reuters ChattahBox Chance discovery points to crib death cause Reuters - 21 hours ago By Michael Kahn LONDON (Reuters) - An imbalance of a key brain chemical could cause crib death, researchers said on Thursday in what they called a chance discovery. SIDS Linked to Brain Chemical Dysfunction Washington Post Brain imbalance 'cot death key' BBC News InjuryBoard.com - Los Angeles Times - WebMD - The Associated Press all 229 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:59:03 GMT Clickbank Data Feeds Earn Money At Home

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

INTRODUCTION Everybody has a story. My... Read More

Fighting Depression by Restoring Your Routines

When we have depression, one of the things we drop... Read More

5 Ways to Transform Your Struggles Into Victories

Have you read the famous quote, "Every struggle is a... Read More

Learn To Take Control of Depression

While depression is a growing epidemic in western society, it... Read More

How to Overcome Anxiety and Take Repossession of Your Life!

Katie came as close as is possible to having it... Read More

How You Can Learn To Treat Depression

When a person undertakes a course of therapy through their... Read More

Depression in Teenagers: Now What Can We Do?

No doubt you have seen the recent news headlines about... Read More

Omega 3 EPA: Natures Very Own Anti-depressant

Since Dr Malcolm Peet, a consultant psychiatrist at Sheffield swallow... Read More

New Treatment for Depression to be FDA Approved by Late June

With the next few weeks, the FDA is expected to... Read More

Depression Series (Part 2): My Antidepressant Doesn?t Work - What Can My Psychiatrist Do?

Maria has been increasingly depressed for the past few years.... Read More

5 Tips to Reduce Depression

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people... Read More

Tuning the Music Therapist

Music so strongly evokes emotional responses that it is being... Read More

Vagus Nerve Stimulation: What are the Benefits and How Does It Relieve Depression?

Vagus nerve stimulation is more effective than antidepressants and is... Read More

Efficacy and Safety of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression Published in Journal

On September 1st, the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve... Read More

Use Alternative Medicine to Ease Depression

Depression is a problem that faces many of us, young... Read More

Raise Your Feeling Frequency with a Loving Smile

In every moment of our life we have the choice... Read More

Depression Series: Why Don?t I Respond to Medications? (Part 1)

Maria has been feeling depressed for at least two and... Read More

Quick Steps To Improve Your Mood

Looking to improve your mood?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author... Read More

Depression is Underdiagnosed in College Students

Everyone feels down or blue once in awhile. Especially during... Read More

Antidepressants: Control or Cure?

What's curious is that most of them will be on... Read More

Senate Finance Committee Delays FDA Approval of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression

On June 15th, 2004, FDA's Medical Devices Panel recommended that... Read More

Aspartame and Your Mental Health

In 1965, a chemist working to develop an ulcer drug... Read More

I?m Not Depressed; I?ve Just Been Having A Lousy Conversation With Myself

Not long ago, I attended a mastermind group. During the... Read More

FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression

On July 15th, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)... Read More

Eliminate The Belief That Your Illness Is Genetic

Many illnesses, emotional and otherwise, are often said to be... Read More