{"id":5660,"date":"2021-10-22T13:33:24","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T05:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/?page_id=5660"},"modified":"2021-12-07T15:43:20","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T07:43:20","slug":"antidepressants-uses-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/antidepressants-uses-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Antidepressants"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are Antidepressants for?<\/strong><\/a> | The Science behind Antidepressants<\/a><\/strong> | Types of Antidepressants<\/a> <\/strong>| Effectiveness of Antidepressants<\/a><\/strong> | Side Effects of Antidepressants<\/a><\/strong> | FAQ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

What are Antidepressants for?<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Antidepressants are psychiatric medications that can help relieve symptoms\u00a0of depressive disorders<\/a> and anxiety disorders<\/a>, as well as other mental health disorders [1<\/a>].\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

What is the Science behind it?<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

They aim to correct chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain, that are believed to be responsible for changes in mood and behaviour, by increasing its activity.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Different Types of Antidepressants<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Second-generation Antidepressants<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Generally, second-generation antidepressants, and those with similar mechanisms that selectively target neurotransmitters, are the first line of treatment for depressive disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) <\/h4>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They block the reuptake (i.e., absorption) of serotonin in the brain. This makes it easier for the brain cells to receive and send messages, resulting in better and more stable moods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) [2<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) <\/h4>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Licensed practitioners also commonly prescribe SNRIs for major depression and mood disorders. SNRIs raise levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters in the brain that play a key role in stabilising mood, which help lessen<\/span>\u00a0symptoms of anxiety<\/a> and depression<\/a> [3<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of SNRI antidepressants include Venlafaxine, \u200b\u200bDuloxetine, Desvenlafaxine, Milnacipran, and Levomilnacipran [4<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

First-generation Antidepressants<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)<\/h4>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs), also called cyclic antidepressants, are among the earliest antidepressants developed. They are effective, but they have generally been replaced by second-generation antidepressants that cause fewer side effects. However, TCAs may be a good option for some people \u2014 in certain cases, they relieve depression<\/a> when other treatments have failed [5<\/a>]<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like most antidepressants, TCAs increase levels of concentration of neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine, by preventing the reabsorption of these neurotransmitters. This helps to regulate mood and relieve depression symptoms. However, due to the severe adverse effects (refer to ‘side effects<\/a>‘), they are typically not used as the first line of treatment [6<\/a>]<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of TCAs include Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Doxepin, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Amoxapine, Protriptyline, and Trimipramine [7<\/a>]<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) <\/h4>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

MAOIs are one of the earliest types of antidepressants used to treat various disorders including different types of depressive disorders<\/a>, panic disorder, social phobia and depression with atypical features. <\/span><\/p>\n

MAOIs serve to retain levels of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and tyramine by preventing monoamine oxidase enzymes from breaking these neurotransmitters down. This allows the neurotransmitters to continue interacting with cells affected by depression<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, doctors rarely prescribe MAOIs as the first line of treatment due to the severity of possible side effects and strict dietary requirements [8<\/a>].\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of MAOIs include Tranylcypromine, Phenelzine, Selegiline and Isocarboxazid [7<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

How Effective are Antidepressants?<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

The effectiveness of antidepressants varies for different people, just like how different types of medication for physical illnesses vary in their effects on individuals according to the way their bodies react to the medication. <\/span><\/p>\n

Antidepressants are used mainly to alleviate symptoms rather than function as a cure. This means that while these medications reduce symptoms of low mood or help a person sleep better, it is most effective in helping someone struggling with a mental health condition when coupled with therapy to treat a mental disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctors usually recommend patients antidepressants when they struggle with prolonged and severe mental health conditions. However, this is seldom the first resort as these forms of medication can easily cause a person to become reliant on it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

What are the Possible Side Effects?<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Potential side effects of the drug include [9<\/a>]:<\/span><\/p>\n