Choosing an antidepressant based on effectiveness and tolerability

Quite often, situations arise in people’s lives that unsettle them, when everything doesn’t go according to plan and doesn’t go well. A person becomes upset, he feels sad, sad, and believes that he is depressed. However, in most cases this is absolutely not the case. Only a doctor can diagnose depressive disorder.

What is depression, what are its causes, symptoms and treatment?

We will try to figure this out in our article.

What is depression?

Don't think it's just a bad mood or apathy.
If you have blues and despondency, this does not mean that there is depression. In fact, this is a disease that is characterized by serious changes in the biochemical processes of the human brain. Signs of the disease may persist for more than two weeks, while ordinary frustration or sadness disappears much sooner. In the absence of timely treatment for severe depression, the condition drags on for years and develops into an intractable chronic form. It often happens that a person does not even realize that he is sick. It is important to understand that treatment of neuroses and depression is necessary, this should be done by a specialist with extensive experience in this field. What is clinical depression , and why does it require treatment? The disease develops due to a disruption in the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which are responsible for receiving positive emotions. The disease makes a person apathetic, he is rarely in a good mood, and most often has a pessimistic attitude.

Nootropics

Nootropics are drugs that have a positive effect on the functionality of the higher integrative parts of the brain. That is, they have a positive effect on mental abilities and increase the activity of cognitive functions. A person becomes more learnable, his memory processes and resistance to distress improve. There are several groups of nootropics:

• “true” nootropics, the action of which is concentrated on improving mnestic functions;
• group of neuroprotectors - the mnestic effect is secondary, the effect on the central nervous system is mixed (anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, antihypoxic);
• primary action nootropics - directly affect nerve cells;
• secondary action - improve cerebral blood flow, microcirculation, have pronounced antiplatelet and antihypoxic effects;
• neurodynamic or neuroregulatory - primarily aimed at stimulating metabolic processes in nervous tissues, prescribed to patients with anoxia, ischemia, intoxication, and injury.

Nootropics affect the processes of metabolism and bioenergy metabolism in nervous tissue; they interact with the neurotransmitter sphere of the brain. Children are prescribed with caution, in small dosages.

Nootropics are not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation, gastric ulcers, feverish conditions, problems with the liver and kidneys. Nootropics are not prescribed to patients with sensitivity to components or epilepsy. During use, it is recommended to undergo blood and urine tests in a timely manner to assess the results of the course of nootropics.

Causes and symptoms

The reasons for the development of this disease can be regular stress, psychological trauma, various unpleasant situations and events, problems in relationships with loved ones, the opposite sex, psychological violence in childhood or adulthood. However, such a deviation in the psycho-emotional state is not only a consequence of injuries, it is also various changes at the physical level. In particular, patients have a lack of vitamin D, iron and some other microelements and biologically active substances.

In addition, the development of the disease is largely influenced by hormonal disorders and diseases of the endocrine system. Quite rarely, the disorder occurs as a side effect of taking medications, but this is usually prescribed in the instructions. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a lack of sun; in the fall and spring, many people experience exacerbation of mental disorders.

Doxepin

This antidepressant is prescribed for mild to moderate depression. This drug belongs to the tricyclic antidepressants and has a sedative and antiphobic effect. Doxepin improves mood, reduces apathy and anxiety. This drug is used to treat alcoholism. The results from taking Doxepin become noticeable 2-3 weeks after starting treatment. Among the side effects (they occur rarely): decreased libido, swelling, gastrointestinal problems, drowsiness, migraine.

Doxepin

Ratiopharm, Germany; TEVA, Ukraine; Polfa, Poland

Doxepin is an antidepressant, a non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitor, belongs to the group of tricyclic antidepressants.
The antidepressant effect is combined with anxiolytic and sedative. Does not cause euphoria or psychomotor agitation. from 700

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Will depression go away or is it forever?

If the disease lasts for a long time, many people begin to fear that they will never be able to get rid of it. Is it so? If the disease is mild, you can cope with it yourself. Sooner or later a person will experience a traumatic situation, reevaluate it, change his attitude towards the event and recover. In some cases, the use of medications leads to a bad mood, but after their withdrawal the condition returns to normal. Any psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist will tell you that treatment for depression is necessary. This will allow a person to get rid of obsessive thoughts and gain more positive thinking, which will increase the quality of life, and possibly its duration.

Without treatment for depression in women and men, the disease will progress, exacerbating the psycho-emotional state and causing the development of mental disorders, especially for older people. But even for young people the disease does not go away without a trace. You shouldn’t fight it alone, share your problems with loved ones and friends, look at them from the outside, listen to advice, consult a doctor for treatment of panic attacks, moderate and severe depression.

• You can't convince me to get treatment
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• We will help you with motivation for treatment. As a rule, it is difficult for loved ones to persuade or force an addict to undergo treatment. World experts have developed EFFECTIVE motivation schemes, using which you can lead an addict to the decision to seek help. 8

The best antidepressants: how to treat depression, apathy and anxiety?

May 12, 2021
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Content

• Antidepressants without a prescription
• Afobazole
• Persen
• Novo-passit
• Tryptophan
• Prescription antidepressants
• Zoloft
• Doxepin
• Paroxetine
• Melipramine

It often happens that a person is in a bad mood, he literally gives up and doesn’t want to do anything. This is usually how a mental disorder begins to develop, so try to listen to your body in order to start treatment on time. Depression is a condition in which a person ceases to experience joy, negative thoughts appear, and physical activity decreases. This situation requires urgent consultation with a psychotherapist and the prescription of antidepressants.

Types of disorder

With the right methods, medications and treatment plan, the disease can be stopped and cured, regardless of the stage and duration of development. If the disorder is caused by the absence or deficiency of certain vitamins and substances in the body, the person’s condition will normalize as soon as the balance is restored. When treating endogenous or psychogenic depression, special complex therapy is required. In the first case, the disease is caused by a malfunction of the psyche, in the second – by traumatic events.

For example, an elderly woman can take the death of her husband to heart; the loss of a person with whom she lived hand in hand is very traumatic, which can cause the development of not only neuroses, but also dementia. In this case, doctors advise treating depression in women in a clinic.

Treatment for postpartum depression, which is very important for a young mother, is no less dangerous. During pregnancy and after childbirth, a huge number of changes occur in a woman’s body. Not everyone gets used to the new role right away; some are afraid of the oncoming responsibility; others are not confident in the support of their spouse. The result is mental disorder, panic attacks, unreasonable fears, breakdowns.

Today, specialists quite often treat bipolar depression. This disease is getting younger every year, but it should not be confused with a number of other abnormalities. Bipolar disorder is often confused with increased emotionality. If you feel the symptoms of this disease, call the clinic; today it is possible to both treat depression in a hospital in Moscow and undergo therapy on an outpatient basis.

Do you want to know about the cost of services?

8 call our specialist

Zoloft

Zoloft belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class of antidepressants. This antidepressant is prescribed for mild to moderate depression, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Zoloft should not be taken in parallel with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, during pregnancy, with liver disease, underweight and in children under 6 years of age. The effect of taking Zoloft appears after 2-4 weeks.

Zoloft

Pfizer (Pfizer), USA

— depression of various etiologies (treatment and prevention);
— obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD); - panic disorders; — post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); - social phobia. from 135

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Treatment of anxiety-depressive disorder without antidepressants

Many people do not want to see a doctor because they think that only drug treatment for depression with antidepressants is possible. They have heard about the side effects and high risk of developing drug addiction, as well as various myths about the dangers of these drugs. The dangers of antidepressants are greatly overestimated. Do not think that in modern medicine there are only drugs and pills for treating depression. Fearing often far-fetched consequences, people turn to homeopathy for help, which, naturally, will not give any result other than a placebo.

Today, there are completely different and varied methods of treating depression, and in many cases it is possible to do without medications. As a rule, pills are not even the basis of treatment, but maintenance therapy during psychotherapy. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and begin effective treatment for depression in Moscow, you can do without medications.

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Novo-passit

Novo-Passit is another popular and effective herbal-based antidepressant. Novo-passit contains: St. John's wort, valerian, elderberry, lemon balm. Thanks to its calming effect on the nervous system, anxiety and irritability are significantly reduced. In addition to treating depression, Novo-Passit is indicated for increased fatigue and decreased concentration. After a course of taking Novo-Passit, the functioning of the nervous system noticeably improves, and the symptoms of depression go away.

Novo-Passit

IVEX Pharmaceuticals, Czech Republic; Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Germany

Novo-passit is a combination drug, the pharmacological activity of which is due to its constituent components of an extract based on medicinal plant raw materials with a predominantly sedative (calming) effect and guaifenesin, which has an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect.
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How dangerous are antidepressants for the human body?

Are antidepressants dangerous to your health? People are as afraid of these drugs as they are of antibiotics. There are many myths around these medications. How dangerous are antidepressants really? First of all, you should understand that no doctor will prescribe you a potent drug without indications for it.

Modern medicines have a rather gentle effect on the human body, bringing great benefits to patients and bringing them closer to recovery much faster. The drugs affect the production of necessary neurotransmitters and compensate for the lack of serotonin and endorphins. As a result, within a couple of weeks the patient begins to feel many times better than before the start of therapy.

However, the positive effect of the tablets does not occur immediately; over the course of several weeks, the human body adapts, which is why some side effects occur. They often cause patients to stop taking medications because they feel like their condition is only getting worse. However, you should be prepared for the fact that these are not magic pills that will help you get rid of a serious illness overnight. Most medications have a cumulative effect.

A competent specialist knows in what dosages a particular drug should be taken. Most often, the dose is increased gradually, as the body gets used to it, which is why at the beginning of taking it the expected effect will be absent. It is important for patients to stay in touch with their doctor to inform him of any changes. If your health condition worsens, tell your doctor. If you follow the recommendations, the medications will only bring benefits and a significant improvement in your well-being.

Review of modern antidepressants

Antidepressant addiction – myth or truth?

It is impossible to say unequivocally that drugs for depression are evil. But also the fact that they are absolutely harmless. Medicine does not stand still, just like pharmacology. Medicines are constantly being improved and improved. Today, those medications that caused drug addiction and posed a real threat to health due to side effects are long gone. The latest generation of drugs is much safer than their predecessors.

In some cases, patients have to take medications for years, not because they become dependent, but because the treatment plan and indications require it. However, most often, when contacting specialists at an early stage of the disease, the use of drugs is not required, or a short course of treatment is required. The dosage is gradually reduced, which prevents the development of drug dependence. A person gradually gets used to living without medications.

However, the truth is that while most of these pills are banned from over-the-counter sales, some people circumvent the law and purchase them illegally. Why is this being done? The fact is that some drugs, when overdosed and used for a long time, can still be addictive. Some of the most common over-the-counter drugs include Lyrica and Fluoxetine (Prozac). When used for other purposes, for recreational purposes, the drugs can cause addiction, which can only be gotten rid of with the help of a narcologist.

You should not self-medicate, increase the duration of use and dose, this can lead to undesirable consequences and side effects. If you feel you cannot stop taking the drug, call your doctor. He can help you get rid of your addiction.

Review of “neutral” antidepressants

These drugs do not have a pronounced sedative or active tonic effect. Such antidepressants are considered safer, since they do not grossly change the “settings” of the nervous system, regulating the general emotional background.

Sertraline

Popularity rating*: 4.9

Trade names: Zoloft, Stipuloton, Serenata, Sirlift, Asentra.

One of the safest antidepressants with a relatively quick (about a week) onset of action. Approved for use by children and during pregnancy, subject to an assessment of the possible risk-benefit ratio. Not recommended for nursing mothers as it passes into breast milk.

The instructions do not indicate incompatibility with alcohol, however, this does not mean that you need to take vodka tablets.

Despite the available generics, the average cost of the medicine is relatively high: from 800 rubles per month of use (as of early April 2019).

Advantages

• low likelihood of side effects,
• you can drive
• Can be taken by pregnant women and children.

Flaws

• high price.

Venlafaxine

Popularity rating*: 4.8

Trade names: Velaxin, Velafax, Venlaxor.

This antidepressant has long been well known in the world, and its patent protection, which was valid for 20 years from the date of registration of the molecule, has already been lifted. But for our country this drug is relatively new. It regulates not only the exchange of serotonin, but also norepinephrine and dopamine, which also affect the overall emotional status of the body.

It becomes effective quite quickly: by the end of the first week, but subject to a rapid (5 days) increase in dosage from the minimum - 75 mg per day - to the maximum daily dose of 375 mg. It has shown itself to be effective in the treatment of resistant depression (by the way, in approximately ⅓ of cases, the initially prescribed antidepressant turns out to be ineffective and the drug has to be changed). Improves attention, memory, normalizes sleep.

Side effects when taking venlafaxine are not uncommon: approximately 10% of all cases. On the other hand, they are safe for life: nausea, weight loss, unusual vivid dreams, sweating. May increase blood pressure. Adverse effects are dose-dependent: if you reduce the dosage of the drug, the severity of side effects decreases.

When the medication is abruptly discontinued, extremely unpleasant paresthesia appears - a feeling as if a current discharge is passing through the nerves.

Not approved for use by pregnant women and children under 18 years of age.

Advantages

• acts quickly if the dosage is rapidly increased;
• adverse events are not life-threatening,
• There are many generics, you can find an inexpensive one.

Flaws

• does not combine with alcohol,
• discomfort when stopping the drug.

Escitalopram

Popularity rating*: 4.7

Trade names: Cipralex, Selectra, Elitseya, Lenuksin.

A little “softer” than Zoloft, it also rarely causes adverse events. Effective for anxiety disorders, panic attacks.

Some patients complain that escitalopram increases cravings for sweets.

Not indicated for children under 18 years of age. During pregnancy, the instructions recommend assessing the balance of risk and benefit, but according to post-marketing studies, newborns often required hospitalization and resuscitation measures due to breathing problems, vomiting, low blood pressure and other symptoms, possibly associated with an abrupt cessation of drug intake.

It does not enhance the effects of alcohol; however, combining the use of an antidepressant with alcohol is not recommended.

Does not reduce reaction speed, so it can be taken by those who drive a car.

Advantages

• you can drive
• You can find an inexpensive generic.

Flaws

• may cause cravings for sweets.

Duloxetine

Popularity rating*: 4.6

Trade names: Cymbalta, Duloxenta.

In terms of effectiveness and safety, it is comparable to other antidepressants, but has a pronounced central analgesic effect. Therefore, it is especially recommended for long-term pain syndromes of neurogenic origin.

The medicine reduces the reaction rate, so it is not indicated for drivers.

It is not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under 18 years of age due to the lack of safety data (obviously, no one would risk deliberately experimenting on these categories of people).

Advantages

• effective for chronic pain.

Flaws

• You cannot drive a car.

Is it possible to get rid of depression once and for all?

Is it possible to cure anxiety-depressive disorder? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally in the affirmative. The disease can progress in different ways and have many concomitant diseases of varying severity. Each individual case should be considered individually. In most cases, depressive disorder can be treated, but the risk that the disease will return or remain permanently cannot be ruled out. It is very important to monitor any changes and, if necessary and if there is a visible deterioration in the condition, immediately contact a psychotherapist.

Following your doctor's recommendations and taking preventive measures will help you avoid relapse. You need to get into the habit of doing sports, physical education, or at least gymnastics in the morning. Remember that no one will take care of you except you. Forget about smoking and alcohol, bad habits only provoke the development of depression. It is also important to maintain a sleep schedule; sleep less than eight hours leads to negative processes in the central nervous system and has an undesirable effect on the psyche. Avoid stress as much as possible.

How can the doctor help?

There is a huge mistrust of doctors in our country. The rather low level of medicine in the regions, lack of funding, low salaries of doctors, and with it a negligent attitude towards work also have an impact. Of course, there are good and bad doctors and clinics; if you do not trust budget institutions, contact a private center.

If you have symptoms of the disorder, you should immediately contact a psychotherapist. A specialist will be able to quickly recognize the disease, carry out diagnostics and take tests, examine the patient and draw up an individual psychopharmacological treatment plan. Clinical psychologists at our center can also make a diagnosis of depressive disorder. Quite often our patients experience alcoholic depression due to prolonged abuse of alcoholic beverages. “Center for Healthy Youth” has all the capabilities, experience and necessary resources to eliminate all symptoms of the disease and normalize the psycho-emotional state of the patient.

Many people are afraid of psychologists. “Am I crazy?” – can often be heard from patients. However, neuroses and depressive states do not mean that a person is mentally ill, and he will be admitted to a mental hospital and registered. When contacting a private center, people are treated completely anonymously. Even if you go to a public clinic, you will not be registered at the dispensary. Specialists do not have the right to disclose the diagnosis or provide information about the patient’s condition to third parties, since this is a medical confidentiality. A person can go through the treatment process completely calmly. Quite often, an experienced doctor will only need to conduct psychotherapy sessions in order to achieve stable remission. Personal communication with a doctor and following his recommendations is all that is needed for a speedy recovery. You should not prescribe medications yourself, it can end badly.

If you feel increasing symptoms of depression, you should not wait for a miracle and live with it for years, there is a way out, modern techniques and the latest drugs will help you cope with the disease. Doctors will help you regain the joy of life even with chronic pathology.

History of appearance

Until the 19th century, in medicine, for the treatment of depressive conditions, substances with a strong stimulating effect were actively used (various opiates, ginseng extracts, valerian, caffeine, bromine salts), which temporarily brought patients into a state of euphoria.

By the end of the 50s of the twentieth century, the use of the first antidepressants began to come into practice. They were obtained through the synthesis of iproniazid, which was used for the complex treatment of tuberculosis. It was noticed that patients' mood improves over time and their emotional background becomes more balanced. However, the side effects were too great, and it did not justify itself as a cure for tuberculosis.

Around the same years, the German doctor R. Kuhn discovered imipromin. He gave his patients various substances and observed the results. Thus, an increase in mood was observed from imipromine. The drug was included in the official list of the World Health Organization and was a sales leader until the advent of new generation products.

Today, the pharmacological industry offers more than 130 drugs that can overcome depression.