Antidepressants

In 2002, 8.5 percent of the US civilian noninstitutionalized population had purchased at least one prescription Antidepressant. The currently available classes of Antidepressants include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), novel Antidepressants, and tetracyclic Antidepressants.

MAOIs act by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, a complex enzyme system that metabolizes excess serotonin and epinephrine. It holds the potential of inducing potential life-threatening problems, and therefore cannot be used in patients with congestive cardiac failure or in those with a history of liver disease. It is dangerous to those who are hypersensitive to its ingredients. The important drugs of this class include isocarboxazid (Marplan), moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix, Moclodura), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), levo-deprenyl (Selegiline, Eldepryl), and harmala.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) act mainly by inhibiting the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin. Though the type of side effects experienced by the patient due to TCAs or MAOIs are many times similar, the frequency of these side effects is much less in the case of TCAs. Thus, TCAs enjoy a better rate of acceptance by the patients. The TCAs of interest in the treatment of depression include amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep, Tryptanol), amoxapine (Asendin, Asendis, Defanyl, Demolox, Moxadil), clomipramine (Anafranil) desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane), dothiepin hydrochloride (Thaden, Prothiaden), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipamine (Tofranil), Iofepramine (Lomont, Gamanil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and triimipramine (Surmontil).

The SSRIs act by inhibiting the serotonin reuptake, and are considered the most popular, effective and safe prescription medications. The SSRIs used to treat depression include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem), fLuvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), and sertraline (Zoloft). Prozac, a drug of this class, has shown significant success in the treatment of depression and prevention of suicide. It exhibits less potential side effects as compared to TCAs and MAOIs, and is well tolerated.

The currently available SNRIs (desipramine, duloxetine, nefazodone, and venlafaxine) keep both serotonin and norepinephrine at the right level to alleviate depressive symptoms. Nefazodone alleviates anxiety, causes some sedation and positively affects sleep. Venlafaxine (Effexor) has significant anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary hesitancy, and constipation), induces sedation and has potential withdrawal effects.

The drug bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR) is the most commonly used member of the novel Antidepressant class. It is unique in its efficiency to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Maprotiline (Ludiomil) and mirtazapine (Remeron) are the two main drugs from the group of tetracyclic Antidepressant. Mirtazapine acts by increasing the amount of noradrenaline and serotonin, and is of benefit in particular for the treatment of depression accompanied with anxiety, agitation and /or sleep disturbances.

The natural Antidepressants that impress their effectiveness on experts include St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine), and 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). Other natural Antidepressants that are in need of research-based studies to prove their efficacy, safety and usability in the treatment of depression include herbs (Ginseng and Ginko), amino acids (l-tyrosine and phenylalanine), and certain nutrients, including B vitamins.

Antidepressants provides detailed information about antidepressants, antidepressant comparisons, antidepressant medications, antidepressant side effects and more. Antidepressants is the sister site of Canadian Mail Order Pharmacy.

Coping with Depression Has Become Easier

If you're young, you may not remember when depression was still a mystifying condition referred to as "melancholia." It was thought to be a woman's disease, caused by a woman's need for attention and by unrequited love in her middle age. Nobody really knew just what to do or how to cope with depression. Sigmund Freud treated it with cocaine injections. Bad idea. It was frustrating to both doctors and patients.

In the past half-century, medical research yielded a wealth of information about what causes depression, who gets it, and how it can be successfully treated. Dealing with depression became a whole lot easier and faster. In the early days, electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), or "shock treatments" provided relief from serious, suicidal depression but were very unpleasant, causing a grand mal seizure and memory loss.

The first medications used were the tri-cyclic drugs like Elavil and Pamelor. Research found that depression was caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, particularly the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. The old-style tricyclics worked very well to relieve depression, but had some unpleasant side effects like dryness of the mouth and other mucous membranes and sedation. Then came the new Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs increased the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, usually putting the illness into full, sustained remission within six months.

In addition to medications, ECT made a big comeback; it was still regarded as a very effective treatment for when the patient didn't respond to drug therapy. Today, an ECT patient is placed under general anesthesia and has no traumatic memories of the procedure. When the electricity is administered, the seizure cannot be observed except for a twitching or curling of the toes.

Coping with Long-Term Depression

Although it's no longer considered as a "woman's disease" it is true that more women than men suffer from depression due to hormone changes. It is essential for those dealing with depression that if a person has had one episode, he or she should stay on an SSRI for a full year, until the depression goes into full, sustained remission. Then the patient will be gradually weaned off the medication; if symptoms begin to return, the medication is reinstated.

Many people have one episode of depression and never have another one after medication is discontinued. However, for middle-aged menopausal women who have two episodes that resolve with medication, they have at least an 80% chance of having another episode. A large part of coping with depression is accepting that it could be a life-long problem requiring continuous medication. This is no different from taking daily hypertension medication or a multi-vitamin.

Along with medications, coping with depression is made much easier with psychotherapy. In therapy, patients have the opportunity to discuss life events that may contribute to their depression or impede their recovery. Physicians recommend that medication be combined with therapy for the best results possible.

Kenneth Kender writes about health, about positive thinking and about healthy foods without hype and in plain everday English. His work is published both offline and online. His latest online project is a website called http://www.SignsOfDepression.info where he helps you to learn what depression is all about and what you can do to avoid or cure it.

Depression Treatments

Depression is a mental disorder that affects a person's moods. It affects millions of people around the world. People with depression may feel sad, angry, irritable, tired, confused, guilty, hopeless or worthless. When a person is diagnosed with depression, it's bad news for himself and his family. It's painful for the person and can also be difficult for the person's family. Depression if left untreated could get worse. It will affect a person's ability to function in daily life and work. Worst still, depression even may lead a person to suicide.

A serious disease depression may be, it is treatable. Proper treatment can help people with depression get back to normal daily activities.

Main treatments for depression are antidepressants and psychotherapy. Antidepressants are medicines that help to relieve depression so that a person suffering from depression can function more normally. There are mainly four types of antidepressants:

1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), Luvox (fLuvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline). These antidepressants help the brain absorb the chemical serotonin.

2. Tricyclics antidepressants (TCAs) - Adapin (doxepin), Anafranil,(clomipramine), Elavil (amitriptyline), Endep (amitriptyline), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Norpramin (desipramine), Pamelor (nortryptyline), Pertofrane (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), Vivactil (protriptyline)

3. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) - Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine)

4. Serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) - venlafaxine (tradenames Effexor XR(R), Efexor(R)), nefazodone (tradename Serzone(R)), milnacipran (tradename Dalcipran(R)/ Portugal; Ixel(R)/ France), desipramine (tradenames Norpramine(R), Pertofraneis(R)), duloxetine (tradename Cymbalta(R))

In the market, there are also antidepressants that don't fall in the above categories available such as buproprion (Wellbutrin), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), venlafaxine (Effexor), and mirtazapine (Remeron).

Certain antidepressants cause side effects. In most cases, side effect disappears once a person's body has adjusted to the medicines. Sometimes people on antidepressants may feel worse before feeling better. It takes time for depression medication to work correctly.

Besides taking medications, psychotherapy or talk therapy can be also of help to depressed individuals. It includes short-term therapy sessions, usually from ten to twenty weeks. Positive results for the depression patients will generally be showing up after one or more sessions of psychotherapy. This type of depression treatment actually helps the individuals by slowly making them open up about their feelings, the root of their problems, most important of all, the root of their depression. Healthy verbal exchanges between the cognitive behavior therapist and the depression patient is great depression treatment that'll positively affect the depression patients by helping them discuss and talk about whatever they've been keeping inside.

Even though either medication or psychotherapy works independently all by itself, many experts feel combination of both medication and psychotherapy can work more effectively to help depressed individuals overcome depression and become mentally healthy.

Forest Sun is a healthy lifestyle enthusiast and advocate. His website at http://managedepressionnow.com/ offers information on depression and how you can manage depression successfully.

What Insomnia Medications Can Give You Relief?

There is a variety of different types of insomnia medications. The different categories of medication are usually used depending upon the underlying reason for your insomnia. The goal is the same with each medication and that is to cure your insomnia. The doctor prescribes your medications to help end your insomnia but you also need to be aware of the side-effects of such medications.

Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotics

Non-benzodiazepine Hypnotics include the brand name insomnia medications Lunesta, Sonata and Ambien. Like benzodiazepine drugs, these drugs work on the receptors in the brain, however, non-benzodiazepine drugs do not work chemically. These drugs can provide a more restful sleep. They sedate a person and allow them to fall asleep more naturally. The most common side effects are drowsiness and dizziness, impaired coordination and loss of alertness. These drugs work very fast, so they must be taken right before bed and a person should allow for a full night's sleep or the effects of the drug may still be present the next day. So you might not want to take the drug at 2.00 AM if you need to wake up at 6.00 AM because the drug will still affect you.

Insomnia and Benzodiazepine Hypnotics

The most common benzodiazepine hypnotic drugs that a doctor can prescribe are under the brand names Halcion, Dalmane, Restoril and ProSom. These drugs work by influencing the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which help make you feel sleepy. Benzodiazepine insomnia medications can affect a person's ability to stay alert. They can also cause restless sleep.

Insomnia and Anti-Depressants

Anti-depressants include the brand name drugs Elavil, Pamelor and Serzone. These drugs usually produce a side effect of drowsiness, which is why they are used as insomnia medications. These medications are usually only used for someone whose insomnia prevents them from staying asleep. They are not used for someone who has problems falling asleep. The most common side effects of anti-depressants are dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision. Some people may also experience an increased heart rate.

How important are Pineal Gland Hormones to Cure Insomnia?

Pineal gland hormones are naturally made by the body in the pineal gland. They are important because they help to regulate the bodies sleep cycle. Some people do not produce enough of these hormones, which results in insomnia. So, there are insomnia medications containing these hormones, like melatonin and ramelteon. Since these hormones are already naturally produced by the body, the biggest side effect is drowsiness. However, excess hormones can cause headache, depression and nightmares.

These medications all work to help you get a good nights sleep. Your doctor should be able to prescribe you the one that will work best in your situation. It is very important to listen and follow all doctors' orders regarding insomnia medications since they can severely impair your ability to stay awake.

For more insomnia information please visit http://www.CureInsomniaInfo.com for insomnia tips, recommended insomnia product reviews and a free newsletter.Please visit http://www.CureInsomniaInfo.com today so you can sleep tonight.

Antidepressant Medications

The currently available classes of Antidepressants include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), novel Antidepressants, and tetracyclic Antidepressants.

MAOIs act by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, a complex enzyme system that metabolizes excess serotonin and epinephrine. It holds the negativity of inducing potential life-threatening problems and therefore cannot be used in patients of congestive cardiac failure or in those with a history of liver disease. It is strongly against recommendation to those who are hypersensitive to its ingredients. The important drugs of this class include isocarboxazid (Marplan), moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix, Moclodura), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), levo-deprenyl (Selegiline, Eldepryl), and harmala.

Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCAs) act mainly by inhibiting the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin. Though the type of side effects experienced by the patient due to TCAs or MAOIs are many times similar, the frequency of these side effects is much less in the case of TCAs. Thus TCAs enjoy a better rate of acceptance by the patients. The TCAs of interest in the treatment of depression include amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep, Tryptanol), amoxapine (Asendin, Asendis, Defanyl, Demolox, Moxadil), clomipramine (Anafranil) desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane), dothiepin hydrochloride (Thaden, Prothiaden), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipamine (Tofranil), Iofepramine (Lomont, Gamanil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and triimipramine (Surmontil).

The SSRIs act by inhibiting the serotonin reuptake, and are considered the most popular, effective and safe prescription medications. The SSRIs used to treat depression include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem), fLuvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), and sertraline (Zoloft). Prozac, a drug of this class, has shown significant success in the treatment of depression and prevention of suicide. It exhibits less potential side effects as compared to TCAs and MAOIs, and is well tolerated.

The currently available SNRIs (desipramine, duloxetine, nefazodone, and venlafaxine) keep both serotonin and norepinephrine at the right level to alleviate depressive symptoms. Nefazodone alleviates anxiety, causes some sedation and positively affects sleep. Venlafaxine (Effexor) has significant anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary hesitancy, and constipation), induces sedation and has potential withdrawal effects.

The drug bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR) is the most commonly used member of the novel Antidepressant class. It is unique in its efficiency to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

Maprotiline (Ludiomil) and mirtazapine (Remeron) are the two main drugs from the group of tetracyclic Antidepressants. Mirtazapine acts by increasing the amount of noradrenaline and serotonin, and is of benefit in particular for the treatment of depression accompanied with anxiety, agitation and /or sleep disturbances.

Antidepressants provides detailed information about antidepressants, antidepressant comparisons, antidepressant medications, antidepressant side effects and more. Antidepressants is the sister site of Canadian Mail Order Pharmacy.

Chronic Daily Headache Treatment

Chronic headache treatment is possible as there are a variety of preventive medications available. Here are the medications your doctor may recommend.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants such as Amitriptyline (Aventyl), nortriptyline (Pamelor) and other tricyclic antidepressants are the most widely used treatments for all forms of these headaches. These medications are valuable because they also help treat depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances that often accompany chronic daily headache.

SSRIs ( selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

There is also evidence that suggests other antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be effective in treating these headaches for some sufferers. SSRIs that have been used to treat this condition include Fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, nafazodone, veniafazine, citaloprom and escitalopram. These SSRIs can have adverse effects so, again, it is important you discuss these with your doctor.

Beta-blockers

While these drugs are most commonly used to treat high blood pressure, they are often helpful in treating episodic migraines. Beta-blockers used to treat chronic daily headache include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal) and timolol (Blocadren). In some cases these beta-blockers are prescribed in combination with antidepressants.

Anti-seizure drugs

Anticonvulsant drugs used in migraine prevention are also being used increasingly to treat this type of headache. Drugs in this category include divalproex (Depakote), gabapentin, (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax).

Muscle relaxers

While not always effective in the treatment of chronic daily headache, muscle relaxers such as tizanidine Zanaflex) have helped in some cases.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents)

Naproxen and other nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs may be effective in the treatment of these daily headaches, especially if you're undergoing withdrawal from some other pain relievers. Included in this group are naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis) and mefenamic acid (Ponstel)

Cox-2 inhibitors

While These drugs Are Similar to NSAIDs, they work differently and have fewer side effects. Medications such as Celebrex, Vioxx and Excedrine are most helpful in treating chronic daily headache when combined with other preventive medications. Typically, they are prescribed for one or two months if you are withdrawing from pain relief medications, to help decrease the frequency and severity of rebound headaches.

Others

Botox is currently being researched as a possible for many of treatment for this type of daily headache. Injections of a local anesthetic around a nerve (nerve block) or injections of a numbing agent and corticosteroid at the point of pain are sometimes recommended for chronic daily headache.

If you suffer from chronic daily headache, you have probably wondered, "why me?" If you click here, you can learn the newest theories as to what causes headaches and get more detailed information about chronic daily headache treatment.

Depression Medicine - Understanding Your Options

Treating depression is a priority of modern medical science, as new revelations continue showing that depression is far more common and widespread problem than previously understood. Many new developments in depression medicine have brought much more successful depression treatments to the market. Likewise, most physicians have a much better understanding of what depression is, how it works, and how to prescribe the right drugs to treat depression. This allows your primary physician to prescribe appropriate medications to begin to treat your problem before you have to see a psychiatrist. In mild to moderate depression, this may be all you need to return to life as it was before depression.

If you suffer with depression, the good news is that you have a lot of depression medicine options. This is important because not every drug works for every individual and because some individuals will suffer side effects from some of these prescriptions. There is no need to become frustrated or feel hopeless if you try a few different options without success because there are still many more choices available for you. The unfortunate thing is that you have to devote at least a month to each medication without missing any doses before you will see results, if you see results.

You will generally hear depression medications referred to as being MAOIs (Monoaminne Oxidase Inhbitors), SNRIs (Serotonnnin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), or SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). These terms simply describe how these medications improve the function of the brain's neurotransmitters. Generally, even if you achieve good results from your dosage you will also be given therapy and lifestyle changes that can help cure the cause of the depression.

You have probably seen commercials about or know people using such SSRI drugs as Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, and Zoloft. If your doctor prescribes a depression medicine from this list to you the side effects you need to be on the lookout for are drowsiness, mild headaches, decreased libido, insomnia, and nausea.

Some of the better known SNRI medicines on the market include Serzone and Effexor. The SNRIs are relatively safe as far as depression treatments go, but the possible side effects are also drowsiness, mild headaches, decreased libido, insomnia, and nausea.

The most common MAOI medications are Parnate and Nardil. They are used in cases of atypical depression. Among the original depression medicines still in use are the tricyclics Elavil, Norpramin, and Pamelor. These drugs are usually used after other treatments have failed, as they can have some serious side effects.

Stay up to date with all the New Depression Medications and other remedies for depression at: http://www.HowToDealWithDepression.Net