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Antidepressant drugs also called
as antidepressants are medicines that
relieve symptoms of mental depression.
They are used to treat serious, continuing
mental depression that interferes
with a person's ability to function.
Everyone feels sad, or discouraged
occasionally, but usually those feelings
do not interfere with everyday life
and do not need treatment. However,
when the feelings become overwhelming
and last for weeks or months, professional
treatment can help. Although depression
is one of the most common and serious
mental disorders, it is also one of
the most treatable.
Antidepressant drugs help reduce the
extreme sadness, hopelessness, and
lack of interest in life that are
typical in people with depression.
These drugs may also be used to treat
other conditions, such as obsessive
compulsive disorder, premenstrual
syndrome, chronic pain, and eating
disorders.
All antidepressant drugs are effective,
but certain types work best for certain
kinds of depression. For example,
people who are depressed and agitated
do best when they take an antidepressant
drug. People who are depressed and
withdrawn may benefit more from an
antidepressant drug that has a stimulating
effect.
What precautions do I need to take
for Antidepressants?
While antidepressant drugs help people
feel better, they cannot solve problems
in people's lives. Some mental health
professionals worry that people who
could benefit from psychotherapy rely
instead on antidepressant drugs for
a quick fix. Others point out that
the drugs work gradually and do not
produce instant happiness. The best
approach is often a combination of
counseling and medicine, but the correct
treatment for a specific patient depends
on many factors. The decision of how
to treat depression or other conditions
that may respond to antidepressant
drugs should be made carefully and
will be different for different people.
Always take antidepressant drugs
exactly as directed. Never take larger
or more frequent doses, and do not
take the drug for longer than directed.
Most antidepressant drugs do not begin
working right away. The effects may
not be felt for several weeks. Continuing
to take the medicine is important,
even if it does not seem to be working
at first.
What are the likely side effects
of Anti-depressants?
Some of the various side effects from
the different antidepressants are:
- Dry mouth
- Urinary retention
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Sleep disruption
- Weight gain
- Headache
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal disturbance/diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Inability to achieve an erection
- Inability to achieve an orgasm (men
and women)
- Loss of libido
- Agitation
- Anxiety
What are the likely drug interactions
of Antidepressants?
Antidepressant drugs may interact
with a variety of other medicines.
When this happens, the effects of
one or both of the drugs may change
or the risk of side effects may be
greater. Some interactions may be
life-threatening. Anyone who takes
antidepressant drugs should let the
physician know all other medicines
he or she is taking.
What are the drugs that come under
antidepressants?
Based on your health condition your
doctor may prescribe any of the following
antidepressants
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