Antidepressants

Antidepressants are a class of drugs that reduce symptoms of depressive disorders by correcting chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain. Chemical imbalances may be responsible for changes in mood and behavior.

Neurotransmitters are vital, as they are the communication link between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters reside within vesicles found in nerve cells, which are released by one nerve and taken up by other nerves. Neurotransmitters not taken up by other nerves are taken up by the same nerves that released them. This process is called "reuptake." The prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain specific to depression are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline).

In general, antidepressants work by inhibiting the reuptake of specific neurotransmitters, hence increasing their levels around the nerves within the brain, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antidepressants that will affect serotonin levels in the brain.

Antidepressants are used to treat several conditions. They include, but are not limited to: depression, generalized anxiety disorder, agitation, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), manic-depressive disorders, childhood enuresis (bedwetting), major depressive disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, neuropathic pain, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) etc.

Some off- label uses of antidepressants include, but are not limited to: fibromyalgia, chronic urticaria (hives), hot flashes, hyperhidrosis (drug-induced), pruritus (itching), premenstrual symptoms, bulimia nervosa, Tourette syndrome, binge eating disorder, etc.

Antidepressants differ in their effects on neurotransmitters, established uses, adverse effects and drug interactions. All antidepressants that are used for depression are effective; there is no evidence that one antidepressant is more effective than another. However, patients may respond to or tolerate one antidepressant, and not respond to or tolerate another antidepressant.

Antidepressants that belong to the same class of antidepressant produce similar side effects. Antidepressants may cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly discontinued. Withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, irritability, sleep disturbance, nightmares, psychosis, and seizures. All antidepressants have a warning about use in children and adolescents. Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking, and suicidal behavior in short-term studies in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this risk of suicide with the clinical need for the drug. Patients who are started on therapy should be closely observed for clinical worsening, suicidal thoughts or unusual changes in behavior.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of antidepressant associated with sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, and increased pressure in the eye. They are also associated with hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, headache, rash, nausea, and vomiting, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and sexual dysfunction. Tricyclic antidepressants rarely cause liver failure.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are two classes of antidepressants associated with abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, headache, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, sedation, tremor, sweating, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, rash, and nausea. Rarely, SSRIs have been associated with hyponatremia (low sodium), hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), and seizures.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of antidepressant associated with postural hypotension (feeling faint upon standing due to decreased blood flow to the brain), high blood pressure, fainting, abnormal heart rhythm, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, sexual dysfunction, weight gain or weight loss, and edema. Seizures, rash, blurred vision, and hepatitis are infrequently associated with MAOIs.

Combining tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)  with clonidine (Catapres) may lead to dangerous elevations in blood pressure because TCA may inhibit the antihypertensive effect of clonidine. Combining TCAs with carbamazepine (Tegretol) may result in lower TCA blood levels and higher carbamazepine levels, leading to decreased TCA efficacy or increased carbamazepine toxicity. TCAs may increase the effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. Dangerous increases in blood pressure and abnormal heartbeats may occur. Cimetidine (Tagamet) may reduce the breakdown of some TCAs [for example, amitriptyline (Elavil)] and potentially lead to increased side effects.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) should not be combined with other drugs that increase brain serotonin levels [for example, MAOIs, TCAs, sumatriptan (Imitrex), linezolid (Zyvox), St John's Wort, amphetamines] because there is a risk of dangerous adverse effects. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding may be increased when SSRIs are combined with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should not be combined with other antidepressants or other drugs that increase serotonin levels [for example, amphetamines, linezolid (Zyvox), St. Johns Wort, sumatriptan (Imitrex)]. Such combinations cause excessive serotonin levels in the brain, which may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death. Administration of MAOIs and other antidepressants or drugs that elevate serotonin should be separated by 14 days. Administration of MAOIs with epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, and dopamine may lead to hypertensive crisis. MAOIs interact with tyramine containing foods, resulting in a hypertensive crisis.

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• amoxapine
• clomipramine (Anafranil)
• desipramine (Norpramin)
• doxepin (Sinequan)
• imipramine (Tofranil)
• maprotiline
• nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• protriptyline (Vivactil)
• trimipramine (Surmontil)

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

• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• venlafaxine (Effexor)
• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

• phenelzine (Nardil)
• tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• selegiline (EMSAM, Eldepryl)

• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Desyrel (trazodone)
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• nefazodone (Serzone)