A while back I started a series about the science and logic (and other factors) involved in the selection of antidepressant medication. I suppose I could put in the pinks to the first four parts, but anyone can use the search box in the left-hand sidebar to search for "selection of antidepressants" to find them. I suppose when I am done I will go back to the first one and put in a list of links to all the posts in the series.
The first four posts presented a top-down view, looking at the concepts and principles used when choosing an antidepressant medication. A colleague reminded me recently that I never really finished the series.
What I am going to do now, is to continue the series on the same topic, but with a different perspective. Rather than looking at the abstract level, I will take each medication, one-by-one, and review the properties of each that may be pertinent to the process of selection.
In this, I plan to consider only those medications available in the USA, and I am only going to consider the most basic form of each. That is, I am not going to go into the distinction between immediate-release and controlled-release products, or the differences between tablets, capsules and liquids, and I am only going to mention one brand name for each chemical entity. That is just to keep things simple.
Here is the list:
| amitriptyline | Elavil® |
| amoxapine | Asendin® |
| bupropion | Wellbutrin® |
| citalopram | Celexa® |
| clomipramine | Anafranil® |
| desipramine | Norpramin® |
| doxepin | Sinequan® |
| duloxetine | Cymbalta® |
| escitalopram | Lexapro® |
| fluoxetine | Prozac® |
| fluvoxamine | Luvox® |
| imipramine | Tofranil® |
| isocarboxazid | Marplan® |
| maprotiline | Ludiomil® |
| mirtazapine | Remeron® |
| nefazodone | Serzone® |
| nortriptyline | Pamelor® |
| paroxetine | Paxil® |
| phenelzine | Nardil® |
| protriptyline | Vivactil® |
| selegiline | Emsam® |
| sertraline | Zoloft® |
| tranylcypromine | Parnate® |
| trazodone | Desyrel® |
| trimipramine | Surmontil® |
| venlafaxine | Effexor® |
I'll start with the first one, then proceed alphabetically, by generic name.
Comments
Antidepressants often cause substantial weight gain, obesity and Type II diabetes.
The FDA was actually working on a Saturday. This is late breaking information, so I will keep this post short. Today, the FDA just approved a 2-in-one medicine to treat Type II diabetes.
The tablet, called Janumet, combines a proprietary Merck drug with the older diabetes drug Metformin. Januva enhances the body�s own ability to lower blood sugar levels. It will be a life saver for many have Type II diabetes.
People who suffer from depression are three times as likely to develop Type II diabetes. This new drug will change or save many lives.
www.MyDepressionSpace.com
Posted by: Charles Donovan | March 31, 2007 8:58 PM
The comments section on scienceblogs is now a place to advertise for new medications? News to me.
Posted by: MTW | April 1, 2007 5:33 PM
Information fact: The first medical device based treatment for depression. Awareness of this treatment will change or save the lives of sufferers of severe depression.
After 20+ years of chronic depression I was rescued by a new FDA approved treatment for depression called vagus nerve stimulation therapy.
It is a 90-minute out-patient procedure, which is unrelated to brain surgery or ECT.
This is not an ad. Consult with your psychiatrist as a prescription from an M.D. is required.
Good luck to all and take good care of yourselves with lots of rest.
Charlie
www.MyDepressionSpace.com
Posted by: Charles E. Donovan | April 1, 2007 5:58 PM