Talk:Antidepressant
An antidepressant is a type of psychiatric drug usually used for treating major depressive disorder (unipolar depression). It is worth noting that many of these agents are not effective for bipolar disorder-associated depression and that antipsychotics such as lurasidone (Latuda) and quetiapine (Seroquel) are used for this purpose.
Types of antidepressants
Serotonergics
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Dextromethorphan[1] Because dextromethorphan can show similar antidepressant effects to ketamine in threshold and light dosages, it is possible that dextromethorphan could be a possible treatment for treatment resistant and severe depression. Many users of dextromethorphan claim that they do not feel any depression within a week of using dextromethorphan.[citation needed] It has a very similar mechanism of action to SSRIs. Dextromethorphan has a potential of causing brain damage so it is not advised to use as an antidepressant.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are believed to increase the level of extracellular serotonin, therefore allowing more serotonin to be in the brain. The reason SSRIs are used for depression is that the serotonin hypothesis, one of the most commonly accepted theories for depression, states that low serotonin in the brain causes depression. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant, and the most commonly prescribed anxiolytic for children. They are also the first-line treatment for panic disorder, not benzodiazepines like lorazepam and alprazolam.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors increase the level of extracellular serotonin and norepinephrine, allowing more of the neurotransmitters to be in the brain. SNRIs are used for depression because the serotonin hypothesis states that low serotonin in the brain causes depression, and also to treat tiredness commonly experienced with depression.
Serotonin modulators and stimulators (SMSes)
Serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs)
Serotonin releasing agents (SRAs)
These agents work by directly increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Substances such as cocaine and MDMA can do this, but both are addictive and tolerance quickly builds to each. Additionally, the MDMA "comedown" can produce weeks to months of a low mood and motivation if the user "rolls" (doses) frequently and suddenly stops. Serotonin releasing agents are not prescribed for depression.
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs)
- NRIs are believed to increase the level of extracellular norepinephrine, therefore allowing more of it to be in the brain. Controversy has been sparked over the effectiveness of reboxetine, an NRI sold as Trintellix. [2] Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors can treat the tiredness commonly experienced with depression.
Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
- NDRIs are believed to increase the level of extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine, therefore allowing more of these to be in the brain. Agents such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) have been found effective for MDD with little direct effect on serotonin, and therefore it can be hypothesized that other agents are effective for it. Bupropion and other NDRIs are also effective for depression with fatigue or sleepiness.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOIs are usually prescribed when no other antidepressants are helping. This is because MAOIs require diet changes and have a very large amount of side effects. MAOIs mainly prevent the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.[3]
Psychedelics for treating depression
Psilocybin mushrooms ("magic mushrooms")
Psilocybin has been researched as a treatment for depression and anxiety, as well as end of life depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that psilocybin is extremely effective in reducing overall depression and anxiety.
In clinical studies, ketamine has proven to be an extremely effective and fast acting antidepressant at low doses (compared to common recreational doses).[4] It has become increasingly common for doctors to prescribe ketamine for treatment-resistant and severe depression.
External links
References
- ↑ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987711000545
- ↑ "Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 12 new-generation antidepressants: a multiple-treatments meta-analysis." Multiple authors (2009) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrea_Cipriani/publication/23967068_Comparative_efficacy_and_acceptability_of_12_new-generation_antidepressants_A_multiple-treatments_meta-analysis/links/00b7d5278b5bed4c17000000.pdf
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/maois/art-20043992
- ↑ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports/highlights/highlight-ketamine-a-new-and-faster-path-to-treating-depression.shtml