Antidepressants

[thepheebster]

What are the name of antidepressant tablets for depression? Not that I'm gonna OD or anything I just found a bottle downstairs of my mums and I wanna know if they're antidepressants coz she's been quite depressed but she said they're just asprin.

[smudge]

It might be easier for you to tell us the name of the tablets first. Or even better, you could phone a pharmacy, they'd be able to help you.

[natalie_1982]

You can get different types, you could google the name and see what it brings but I'm sure your mum is telling whatever to benefit you.  She wouldn't lie unless she thought she was protecting you, and she may be telling the truth.

[Chillum]

Setraline is one. Brand name Lustral.

[Hippy]

Occasional sad moods are normal and pass quickly, but depression typically brings despair, lethargy, loss of appetite, absence of sex drive, and apathy. Sometimes this can be caused by bereavement, or loss of a close partner by some other means, however, it can arise for no apparent reason. Most depression does not require medication, but when prescribed, drugs can assist a patient's return to realistic thinking. Patients with depression display reduced production of neurotransmitter compounds in the brain.

 

There are two main types of anti-depressant drugs, Tricyclics and Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOIs). Tricyclics are the most widely used group, and some like Amitriptyline are sedative are given to assist a good night's sleep by removing anxiety and slowing brain activity. Alternatively, Imipramine is prescribed where a sedative effect is not required in lethargic patients requiring anxiety reduction. Other Tricyclics include Clomipramine, Dothiepin, and Lofepramine. They work by blocking the re-uptake of neurotransmitter compounds released by brain cells.

 

MAOIs are usually given to patients for whom Tricyclics have no effect or produce adverse effects. These are more effective for those who display extreme agitation, irrational manic outbursts borne of depression, or who suffer phobias. They work by blocking an enzyme in the brain that normally breaks down neurotransmitter compounds thus increasing their stimulant level within the brain. Drugs in this group include Isocarboxazid and Phenelzine.

 

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[Hippy]

continued ...

 

The metallic element Lithium is often used in the long term control of patients with manic depression. Other anti-depressant drugs include Fluvoxamine, Marprotiline, Mianserin and Trazodone. Anti psychotic drugs work to reduce the production or reception of dopamine which is produced in excess in the psychotic patient resulting in over activity. The two types here are Phenothiazines (Clorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Perphenazine. Prochorperazine and Thioridazine) and Butyrophenones (Haloperidol).

 

It should be stressed that these drugs should only be administered under medical supervision and as prescribed, and under no circumstances should you take drugs prescribed for someone else.

[quinah]

My husband was prescribed those once and had mega bad withdrawal symptoms when he had to come off them. My advice would be not to start taking them in the first place! They are the worst ones he has had, and believe me, he has tried quite a few

[Greedyfly]

The worst withdrawal I have evr had was on Venlafaxine - graet when you are on them but my god you know when you are coming off them and it lasted for months. I felt crap.

[Corkyb]

Best not to second guess what they are, or why they were prescribed, it would be far better to ask at the chemist. Also they may be out of date, in which case they shouldn't be taken any way.

 

If you are concerned about your mum, why not try and persuade her to see the Doctor and have a chat?  S/he would be the best person to advise her.

 

Good luck

[Lindy Loo]

Also it takes between 2-4 weeks for any antidepressant to start showing any effect, so to take just a few will not help at all. Usually the minimum course is 3 months.

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your doctor or a healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on, or wait for, advice from Answerbank users.