Balanced antidepressants. The five most effective antidepressants

Content

Every second inhabitant of the metropolis suffers from depression. To treat this ailment, psychiatrists or neurologists prescribe special medicines. Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to buy strong antidepressants without doctor's prescriptions. It is important to note that in order to purchase powerful tool the appointment is mandatory, because they have a lot of contraindications. There are mild over-the-counter medications that can help manage the symptoms of a nervous breakdown.

Indications for the use of antidepressants

Before buying over-the-counter depression pills at the pharmacy, it is important to make sure that the problem requires drug therapy. Perhaps a person only needs to eliminate the factors that provoke the development of symptoms of the disease. Experts recommend that you review your lifestyle, avoid stress, and get more rest before taking the pills. Over-the-counter medications are not suitable for people with major depressive disorders. This category of patients definitely needs specialist advice and full treatment.

All antidepressants have side effects, contraindications, so it is important to consult a neurologist or psychiatrist before using them. The drugs have different chemical composition, structure, differ in ways of influencing the body. The same medication can affect different patients in different ways, so you should not treat depression with medications on your own. This is especially true for chronic forms of mental illness.

If you need to reduce the susceptibility of the nervous system to external stimuli, then you can use mild antidepressants without a doctor's prescription. Such drugs significantly improve the quality of human life without causing serious harm to health. You can use them for the following pathological conditions:

• pain of an indefinite nature;
• anorexia;
• sleep disturbance, appetite;
• bulimia;
• groundless anxiety;
• attention disorder;
• chronic fatigue;
• alcohol addiction;
• irritability;
• drug addict.

Non-prescription herbal antidepressants

The safest drugs for depression are considered based on medicinal herbs. They will help with stress, nerve exhaustion, various phobias, appetite and sleep disorders. Herbal remedies for depression without prescriptions do not have a negative effect, they gently affect the body. Before taking any tablets or capsules, you should carefully read the composition, indications, side symptoms and instructions for use.

Novo-passit

This tool is one of the most popular antidepressants based on natural ingredients. Part herbal preparation contains extracts of the following herbs:

• hop;
• St. John's wort;
• hawthorn;
• Melissa;
• valerian.

This light antidepressant is especially popular among office workers, for whom the state of permanent stress and continuous time pressure has become familiar. Novo-Passit helps to cope with menopausal syndrome, neurocirculatory dystonia, irritability, migraine, increased nervousness, neurasthenia, and normalizes sleep. The drug provides stable sedation. You can buy the medicine in the form of tablets or syrup. The price varies from 200 to 600 rubles.

Before you start using the drug without a doctor's prescription, you should study the contraindications. These include the following:

• myasthenia gravis;
• age up to 12 years;
• allergy to components:
• liver disease;
• epilepsy;
• traumatic brain injury;
• acute diseases digestive tract;
• alcoholism;
• brain diseases.

If you do not follow the instructions, taking Novo-Passit can cause problems with concentration, drowsiness, nausea, and spasms. Tablets are taken in 1 pc. three times daily with an interval of 4-6 hours. Doubling the dosage is allowed if the patient has a serious condition. With the development of side symptoms, drink ½ tablet at a time. The syrup is taken three times a day, 5-10 ml. If the patient does not tolerate the antidepressant well, then the single dose is reduced to 2.5 mg.

Persen

Another popular drug based on natural ingredients that can be bought without a prescription from a doctor. Especially for patients with interrupted sleep, insomnia, early awakenings, there is a separate form of the remedy - Persen night. The standard version of the drug has a mild effect. The antidepressant is available in the form of tablets, contains lemon balm extract, peppermint, valerian. The medicine provides a pronounced antispasmodic, sedative effect, fights against increased excitability. The cost of tablets is 195–250 rubles.

Persen is effective at different types disorders of the nervous system. Indications for the use of tablets are as follows:

• neurosis, in which potent therapy is not necessary;
• vegetovascular dystonia;
• insomnia;
• prevention of psychosomatic manifestations in people exposed to stress.

While taking the tablets, patients may develop constipation, allergic reactions, bronchospasm, peripheral edema. Before using Persen, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications. These include the following:

• intolerance to fructose or lactose;
• cholangitis;
• glucose-galactose malabsorption;
• cholelithiasis;
• age up to 12 years;
• arterial hypotension;
• lactation period;
• pregnancy;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Persen provides for the use of the drug orally, regardless of the meal. Tablets must be washed down with water. Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age are shown to use them 2-3 times a day, 1 pc. For insomnia, take 2-3 tablets 30-60 minutes before bedtime. You can not drink more than 12 pcs. per day to avoid drug overdose. The course of therapy should not exceed 1.5 months. In case of an overdose, the patient may develop weakness, lethargy, tremor of the limbs, nausea, dizziness. Intoxication with Persen has not been previously recorded.

Neuroplant

This natural remedy with a minimum number of contraindications helps to improve mood, increase efficiency. Neuroplant is dispensed without a prescription from a doctor. The preparation contains ascorbic acid St. John's wort extract. Taking Neuroplant helps to improve the psycho-emotional state and mood of the patient, provides an antidepressant effect. Drinking pills is recommended for depression, pain of unknown origin, anxiety, psychovegetative disorders. Price - from 340 rubles.

Before you start taking Neuroplant, it is important to familiarize yourself with the contraindications. These include the following:

• taking HIV protease inhibitors (Cyclosporine or Indinavir);
• increased photosensitivity;
• age under 12 years old.

Tablets are taken in 1 pc. 2-3 times a day, depending on the patient's condition. The course of therapy is not limited in time due to the comparative safety of the drug. While taking Neuroplant, the following side effects are possible:

• photosensitivity;
• pruritus;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• increased fatigue of the body;
• psycho-emotional stress.

Considering cheap non-prescription antidepressants, this remedy is worth noting. Leuzea extract has a general tonic, adaptogenic, stimulating, strengthening effect on the body, improves mood, and increases efficiency. The medicine is produced in the form of tincture and dragee. An antidepressant is produced using a dry extract of safflower leuzea rhizomes. The cost of the drug is from 90 rubles.

Before you start taking tinctures or tablets, you should familiarize yourself with the indications. Leuzea extract is effective in the following conditions:

• asthenia;
• overwork (intellectual or physical);
• decrease in working capacity;
• premenstrual syndrome;
• vegetative-vascular disorders;
• the period of convalescence (recovery of the body after serious illnesses).

Although the drug has a natural composition and is dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription from a doctor, it has an exciting effect on nervous system and has a large number of contraindications. These include the following:

• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• chronic pathologies of the liver or kidneys;
• arterial hypertension;
• sleep problems;
• arrhythmia;
• sharp infectious diseases;
• increased nervousness;
• epilepsy;
• alcoholism;
• hypersensitivity to components;
• age under 12 years old.

It is important to note that the maral root contained in this antidepressant often provokes the development of side symptoms. Against the background of taking Leuzea Extract, the following side effects may occur:

• increased blood pressure (blood pressure);
• dyspeptic disorders;
• insomnia;
• headache;
• increased irritability.

Instructions for use of the drug depends on the chosen form:

• Liquid extract on alcohol is taken 20-30 drops 2-3 times every day. You can dilute the medicine with water. The course of therapy is no more than 1–1.5 months.
• Tablets or dragees are taken with food, 2-3 pieces up to 2 times daily. The course of treatment is not longer than 1 month.
• Homemade tincture is drunk 100 ml before meals in the morning and in the afternoon. To prepare it, 1 gram of dry roots is brewed with 1 cup of boiling water, boiled in a water bath for 15 minutes, cooled. The course of therapy is 2-3 weeks.

Synthetic antidepressants without a prescription

except natural preparations, in a pharmacy you can buy synthetic tranquilizers without prescriptions from a doctor. They also gently affect the patient's body, but contain active chemicals. Light tranquilizers can be used to correct minor nervous disorders. Before using antidepressants, you should study the instructions for use, contraindications and the composition of the drug.

Glycine

Among the inexpensive and effective over-the-counter antidepressants, these pills are the best known. Glycine is especially popular among students and schoolchildren during the exam period. The price of a package is 17–40 rubles. The tool is made on the basis of a non-essential amino acid, which activates metabolic processes in the body. Glycine helps to cope with aggressiveness, increased nervousness, psycho-emotional stress. The drug activates brain activity, reduces the severity of autonomic disorders.

The antidepressant has practically no contraindications, except for hypersensitivity to the components. During pregnancy and lactation, women can take Glycine only after consulting a doctor. Of the adverse symptoms in the annotation, only allergic reactions are indicated. Dosage and method of administration of tablets are selected individually. For sleep disorders, drink 1 tablet at night. To increase efficiency, with lesions of the central nervous system (central nervous system) and psycho-emotional stress, drink 1 pc. 2-3 times daily. The course of therapy is 2-4 weeks.

Afobazole

This antidepressant is characterized by low toxicity, mild action. Afobozol is dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription. It is a selective non-benzodiazepine tranquilizer (anxiolytic). The antidepressant does not affect benzodiazepine receptors, it acts on sigma-1 receptors in the brain. Taking the drug helps to improve memory, control emotions, fine motor skills, sensory perception. The drug demonstrates effectiveness in a variety of pathological conditions. Afobazole is available in tablets. Package price: 375–450 rubles.

Before you start taking an antidepressant, you should read the indications. Afobazole is effective for the following disorders:

• anxiety states;
• asthenic neuroses;
• premenstrual syndrome in women;
• VVD (vegetovascular dystonia);
• NCD (neurocircular dystonia);
• sleep disorders;
• withdrawal syndrome in the treatment of tobacco dependence;
• neurasthenia;
• alcohol withdrawal (alcohol withdrawal syndrome).

The tool is relatively safe and is dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription, but has many contraindications. These include:

• allergy to components;
• age up to 18 years;
• galactosemia (galactose intolerance);
• pregnancy;
• period breastfeeding;
• monosaccharide intolerance;
• lactase deficiency.

While taking an antidepressant, patients may develop side effects. Often Afobazole provokes the following conditions:

• itching skin;
• urticaria;
• sore throat;
• rhinitis;
• headaches;
• sneezing
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• dermatitis.

According to the instructions, the antidepressant is taken after meals. A single dose of the drug - 10 mg, daily - 30 mg. Drink Afobazole 1 tablet up to 3 times daily. The course of therapy is 2-4 weeks. The effect of the antidepressant is noted after 20 days of use. Individually, the daily dosage and duration of taking the tablets may increase. Treatment with Afobazol is recommended to be agreed with a specialist.

Tenoten

This drug belongs to the group of nootropics. Tenoten - homeopathic remedy in the form of lozenges with a pronounced antidepressant effect. The drug contains affinity-purified antibodies to the brain-specific protein S-100. Tenoten has anti-anxiety, neuroprotective, sedative and antihypoxic effects. Tablets help to cope with psycho-emotional overload, support the body in cases of cerebrovascular accidents and intoxication.

Indications for the use of an antidepressant are nervous disorders, increased irritability, vegetative disorders. Tenoten is dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription, has virtually no contraindications and side effects. It is possible to use this remedy for the treatment nervous disorders in children, nursing mothers and pregnant women. The cost of the drug is from 200 rubles per pack.

The drug is taken orally, regardless of the meal period. The treatment regimen for depression with Tenoten is as follows:

• 1-2 pills at a time;
• no more than 4 doses per day;
• The course of therapy is calculated individually from 1 to 3 months.

Phenotropil

Another good non-prescription antidepressant is this remedy, which is part of the nootropic group. Phenotropil helps to improve mood, increase the body's resistance, regulate the processes of inhibition and excitation in the cerebral cortex, activate mental activity, and increase the resistance of tissues to hypoxia. Phenotropil has no contraindications (except for hypersensitivity to components). The cost of this tool starts from 500 rubles per pack.

The medicine should be taken for disorders of the nervous system. Indications are depressive disorders, which are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• apathy;
• sleep problems;
• lethargy;
• violation metabolic processes;
• problems with cerebral circulation.

Phenotropil is taken orally orally with a large volume of clean water. It is recommended to drink the medicine in the morning. Maximum daily dose antidepressant - 750 mg. At one time, an adult patient can take 100-300 mg. The course of treatment of depressive conditions - up to three months. In some cases, you can extend the time of application of the capsules for 30 days. In order to improve performance Phenotropil take 100-200 ml in the morning. The course of therapy in this case is 15 days.

Neurofulol

Another remedy for depression, which can be bought without a prescription from a doctor, is widely used for neurotic and mental disorders. Neurofulol contains the following substances:

• amino acids (methionine and tryptophan);
• magnesium;
• B group vitamins.

An antidepressant helps keep the nervous system working. Indications for the use of the drug are as follows:

• chronic fatigue;
• panic attacks;
• phobias;
• neurotic disorders;
• depressive states;
• digestive disorders caused by stress;
• anxiety states;
• sleep problems.

Taking Neurofulol helps to increase efficiency, improve the mental endurance of the body, the general well-being of the patient and normalize the activity of the central nervous system. The drug has almost no contraindications, except for hypersensitivity to the components. Adverse symptoms during therapy with this antidepressant are not observed, so it is sold without a prescription. The price of the drug starts from 800 rubles per pack.

Neurofulol is recommended to drink 1 pill 3 times a day after meals. The interval between doses of the medicine should not exceed 8 hours. The course of therapy is 3 weeks. Depending on the specific case, the dosage and duration of treatment can be adjusted by a specialist. In the absence of effect or the development of side symptoms, you should consult a doctor for advice.

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Attention! The information provided in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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20.10.2018

In the pharmacy, you can find antidepressants without prescriptions that allow you to normalize sleep, remove depression and relieve anxiety. These new drugs affect the exchange of mediators in the brain (norepinephrine and serotonin).

The use of such drugs stimulates the human psyche. But what strong antidepressants to choose, below we will offer a list of drugs that you can drink without fear of side effects.

Antidepressants available to everyone

Without a doctor's prescription, you can buy only light pills that can also provide positive effect on the mood. Here are the names of the medicine, the tablets of which can be bought on the free market. What are these products, and why you do not need a prescription to buy them.

Maprotilin (Lyudiomil)

When choosing the best antidepressant, pay attention to this tetracyclic drug. With its help, you can cheer up, eliminate apathy, anxiety, stabilize psychomotor retardation. Speaking about side effects, such a drug should not be taken during pregnancy, liver dysfunction, kidney disease.

Prozac (Fluval, Prodep, Profluzak, Fluoxetine)

These over-the-counter antidepressants belong to the group of selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs). Such names are often used by a neurologist and therapist. The effect of drugs is achieved in the treatment of menstrual disorders, elimination of anxiety and panic states, improves mood, can be used to get rid of intrusive thoughts. If you take such medicines regularly, you can find a balanced psyche and cheer up.

Zyban (Nowsmoke, Wellbutrin)

Paxil (Cirestill, Reksetin, Pleasil, Adepress)

Taking antidepressants of the tricyclic group brings good effects, such drugs are often prescribed to drink in the doctor's office. You can take medications for antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs. If we talk about side effects and consequences, then it does not affect the functioning of the heart and psychomotor functions. Can be taken to correct the work of the heart. It is recommended to drink stressful situations, depression, different types of phobias.

Deprim

Taking antidepressants of this type improves mood and performance. Such medicines contain St. John's wort, which has a good effect.

Persen

Choosing treatment with antidepressants, you can opt for Persen. The drug provides a high effect, contains natural ingredients (peppermint, valerian, lemon balm). Uplifts mood and fights stress.

Novo-Passit

The action of antidepressants of this type has a pronounced sedative effect. Such drugs are composed of passionflower, hops, guaifenesin, lemon balm, elderberry, St. John's wort and hawthorn. You can take medications when you need to relieve anxiety, tension, pain in the head, alleviate premenstrual and climatic syndromes.

herbal antidepressants

New generation antidepressants can contain drugs, they have a good effect and almost no side effects. It is recommended to drink such funds when you need to cope with a depressive and anxious state that has appeared against the background of experiences and stress.

• Infusions of immortelle, rhodiola rosea, maral root, lemongrass - these remedies eliminate the feeling of overwork. Preparations should be drunk before meals, 150 grams each;
• Leuzea alcohol extract - such drugs stimulate the psychometric functions of a person, improve mood, increase efficiency;
• Ginseng tincture is able to show the effect in the form of stimulation immune system. It treats manifestations of depression, increases the body's resistance to stress. Side effects to be noted hypersensitivity to the sun. It is not recommended to go to the solarium if you decide to drink ginseng tincture;
• Zamaniha - can be used to increase efficiency, improves mood, normalizes sleep;
• Motherwort, oregano, blue honeysuckle, meadow clover. Such remedies allow you to get rid of a depressive state;
• Hawthorn produces a calming effect;
• Hops, peppermint, valerian are excellent antidepressants plant origin with no particular side effects;
• Medicinal angelica copes well with insomnia;
• You can drink calendula to relieve overwork and stress.

These medicinal products, which are of plant origin, can only be used for moderate and mild illness. They have an effect on sleep disorders, anxiety, anxiety.

Another indication for treatment with herbal remedies is various psycho-vegetative disorders. This is a series of conditions in which no pathology is detected during examinations. internal organs, and the manifestations themselves are formed as consequences of disorders of the nervous vegetative system. They include:

• Feeling of lack of air;
• Pain in the head and dizziness;
• Pain in the abdomen and heart;
• Cardiopalmus;
• Disorders of emptying and urination of the intestine.

St. John's wort-based antidepressants have virtually no side effects, they can be used without a doctor's prescription. But in the case of more severe depressive conditions, such remedies will not bring an effective result. In such conditions, the help of the attending physician and the appointment of antidepressants of a different category are necessary.

Security measures

Many people have various mental disorders. Unfortunately, for people who are constantly in stressful situations, at work, at home and even on vacation, problems of sleep disturbance and irritability are familiar. Women usually at the first manifestations of depression try to drink medications without thinking about the consequences, men “kill their nerves”.

Do not shy away from the help of a psychiatrist. Such over-the-counter drugs may not help if there are factors causing pathology. Only after its determination can one begin to accept medical preparations. In other cases, the disease will develop into a chronic form with intervals of remissions and exacerbations.

Before you try to get a new generation of antidepressants in the public domain, think about the side effects. Can you tell a neurosis from a depressive state?

It may be better to visit a professional doctor who can rule out the negative effects of drugs on your body.

Even herbal preparations have a number of side effects if used incorrectly.

Medical statistics show that most modern people who buy a variety of sedatives do not suffer from mental problems. Such patients create within themselves a setting for depression and try to recover from a fictional state.

Today, depression affects not only adults, but also children and adolescents. This disease and methods of dealing with it are devoted to a lot of research by specialists and a huge number of articles and books. If translated from "scientific" into ordinary language, depression is a loss of strength and desire to live. The symptoms of this disease are apathy and constant anxiety and fatigue, lethargy and gloom.

Modern pharmacology offers antidepressants to combat this disease. latest generation. How many generations of thymoleptics (as drugs that work against depression are also called) exist today, what do they have in common and how do they differ from each other, what is the mechanism of their action? These and other questions will be considered in the article brought to your attention.

What are antidepressants?

Thanks to which you can relieve symptoms and even prevent depressive conditions. The main mechanism of their action is aimed at adjusting the biochemical activity of the human brain. its components constantly interact with each other through special substances - neurotransmitters. According to one theory, depressive disorders occur when the brain, due to various reasons, the level of any mediator or biogenic amine is significantly reduced: dopamine, norepinephrine or serotonin. Antidepressants of the latest generation, as well as all previous ones, have a regulatory and corrective effect on the biochemical processes of the brain by changing the concentration of one or another biogenic amine.

What are they needed for?

In addition to the fact that modern antidepressants help to cope with the symptoms of depression, they are quite often used to get rid of such problems:

• various pains of unknown origin;
• appetite or sleep disturbances;
• severe fatigue or loss of strength;
• nervousness or feelings of constant tension;
• bouts of nervousness or anxiety;
• trouble concentrating or remembering.

Generations of antidepressants

Before considering how many generations of antidepressant drugs have been today, we must remember that antidepressants were discovered only in the middle of the 20th century. Today, depending on the time of invention and the beginning of use in clinical practice, as well as on the action of antidepressants, it is customary to distinguish four generations of these drugs.

First generation drugs

The first generation, discovered in the 50s of the last century, is represented by cyclically acting tricyclic thymoleptics (TCAs). These include such drugs: "Amitriptyline" (an antidepressant, the very first of the open ones) and its derivatives, as well as the drugs "Nefazodone", "Anafranil" and "Melipramine". These compounds block the reuptake of norepinephrine, thereby increasing its concentration. However, TCAs blocked not only norepinephrine (noradrenaline), but also all other neurotransmitters that came in their way, which led to a large number of unpleasant side effects, primarily such as a sharp increase blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. The drugs of this group are quite toxic, and the likelihood of an overdose when using them is very high, which is why they are so little used in the treatment process. depressive disorders today.

In addition, the first generation includes medicines that are no longer used today containing irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) - Iproniazid, Tranylcypromine, Isocarboxazid. Their action is based on the suppression of the activity of nerve endings of brain neurons, resulting in an increase in the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Second generation drugs

The second generation, unlike the first, has a more selective, but also weaker effect on neurotransmitters and the neurons themselves. It includes tetracyclic irreversible (MAO-B) and reversible (MAO-A) monoamine reuptake inhibitors, represented by drugs such as Lerivon, Ludiomil, Pyrazidol and a number of others. Due to the fact that when they were taken, there were many rather serious side effects, and also because of the interaction with different drugs and unpredictability of exposure, drugs in this group are used extremely rarely. In pharmacies, it is quite difficult to find antidepressants from the group of monoamine reuptake inhibitors. But in some cases they are found under other trade names. So, experts say that the drug "Ludiomil" is the same tablets "Maprotilin", the price, the manufacturer and the country are only different.

third generation

Modern researchers have found that about 30 mediators are involved in the work of the brain and nervous system, but only three of them are “involved” in depression: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (norepinephrine). The third generation is selective inhibitors serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), represented by the most commonly used modern antidepressants such as Zoloft, Citalopram, Prozac, Cipralex, Paroxetine, Pleasil, and many others. These drugs do not block all mediators, but only one - serotonin. In terms of the strength of their impact, they are inferior to first-generation drugs, but they have significantly fewer side effects than any other predecessors. All drugs of the SSRI group are very effective and should be tolerated by patients in approximately the same way. However, each of us has its own individual characteristics, and it is because of them that the number and strength of side effects will be different in each case. Doctors say the most common side effects of third-generation drugs are insomnia, dizziness, nausea, and anxiety.

SSRI drugs are quite expensive. So, for a fairly well-known and widely used drug "Citalopram", the price in pharmacies, depending on the brand under which it is released, can vary from 870 to 2000 rubles.

Fourth generation antidepressants

These include drugs of the SSRI group (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). These are the latest generation of antidepressants, such as the drugs Simbalta, Milnacipran, Remeron, Effexor, which block the capture of both norepinephrine and serotonin. The drugs Zyban and Wellbutrin do not interact with serotonin, but retain dopamine and norepinephrine. The development of drugs belonging to this group began only in the mid-90s of the last century, and every year more and more new drugs appear.

Doctors cannot unequivocally say that it is in this group that there is the best antidepressant, this is basically impossible, since drugs are selected individually for the treatment of various types of depressive disorders, taking into account the health characteristics of each patient.

Popular modern thymoleptics

Knowing about the serious impact of drugs in this group on the nervous system, it must be remembered that all possible - both positive and negative - consequences can be predicted and leveled only qualified specialist- doctor. Taking into account all the individual characteristics and making a diagnosis, it is the doctor who will be able to prescribe exactly those antidepressants that can best help in your particular case, with minimal side effects. In the event that any problems arise when taking the prescribed medication, it is the attending physician who will be able to correct or change the treatment regimen. Today, most practitioners recommend drugs from the group of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, the effective effects of which have been tested in practice, to patients with depressive disorders. Drugs such as Milnacipran, Fluxen (Fluoxetine), Duloxetine, Velaxin (Venlafaxine) are the most typical and widely used antidepressants of the latest generation. Consider the most popular thymoleptics in the treatment of depressive disorders.

The drug "Flucosetin"

This drug is one of the first representatives of the SSRI group, it combines both antidepressant and stimulant effects. The drug Fluxen, also known as the antidepressant Fluoxetine, helps reduce anxiety and tension, eliminates fear and improves mood. According to practicing psychotherapists, its use is most effective in cases of asthenic depressive disorders with apathy, as well as depression of varying severity and severity. obsessive states. This drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia. The antidepressant fluoxetine was first registered in the US in 1974, and in the last decade it has come out on top in the UK, only under a different name. trade name- Prozac. In Russia, this medicine is widely used, and many practitioners confirm that they prescribe it or its generics to patients in various depressive conditions.

The drug "Paroxetine"

This is the most powerful representative of the group of selective serotonin selective uptake inhibitors, widely used in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Today drugs, active substance which is paroxetine, quite a lot. This and Russian drug"Adepress" from "Veropharm", the medicine "Plizil" from the Croatian company Pliva, the Hungarian tablets "Reksetin" from and many others. Regardless of the name of the drug Paroxetine, the reviews about it from both patients and doctors are mostly positive.

The drug "Wellbutrin"

Better known as "Zyban" or "NowSmoke". The active substance of all three drugs is bupropion hydrochloride, which increases the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Medicines with this active ingredient not only relieve the symptoms of depression, but also help overcome the emotional consequences of quitting nicotine. This medicine improves mood and increases efficiency. Reviews of those who got rid of nicotine addiction with the help of drugs such as Wellbutrin, NoSmoke and Zyban indicate the high effectiveness of these drugs during the period of smoking cessation.

The medicine "Cymbalta"

A fourth-generation antidepressant drug that is a norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, along with a slight dopamine uptake. This drug, the active substance of which is duloxetine, has a rather high, in comparison with other antidepressants, speed of action. According to the reviews of both doctors and patients, a clear antidepressant effect appears by the end of the first - the beginning of the second week of admission. In addition, this drug is characterized by uniformity of action and throughout the entire time of its use. However, there is a group of patients, according to whose reviews the effect of this medicine, if it occurs, is very weak. As already mentioned, the individual characteristics of the course of biochemical reactions quite often lead to the fact that one or another medication prescribed by a doctor may not have the expected result.

What is the price?

Today it is quite difficult to talk about the prices of medicines. This is due to the fact that the foreign exchange market is extremely unstable, and new antidepressants for the most part come to us from foreign manufacturers, the prices of which are presented in euros. That is why the table below shows the minimum and maximum prices in rubles, since it is simply impossible to average them. Some of the drugs that were received earlier are still sold at the old prices, and new drugs are much more expensive.

Group	Active substance	Tradename	in rubles
Tricyclic antidepressants	amitriptyline	"Elavel"
	imipramine	"Imizin"
	clomipramine	"Anafranil"
	maprotiline	"Lyudiomil"
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)	sertraline	"Zoloft"
	paroxetine	"Paxil"
	fluvoxamine	"Fevarin"
	fluoxetine	"Prozac"
	citalopram	"Cipramil"
	escitalopram	Lenuxin
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)	bupropion	Wellbutrin
	venlafaxine	Velaksin
	duloxetine	"Simbalta"

If you look closely at the table, you will notice that it does not contain second-generation drugs, namely MAOIs (monoamine reuptake inhibitors). It's not a mistake. The thing is that these antidepressants, which have a large number of unpleasant side effects and incompatibility with many drugs, are practically not used in European countries. In the United States, the medicines Isocarboxazid, Ugenelsin and Tranylcypromine are quite rarely used, and in our country the medicine Nialamide is used. All of the above medicines are available only under the supervision of psychiatric specialists.

This table clearly shows that the price of "classic" tricyclic antidepressants is significantly lower than for newer drugs from the SSRI and SNRI groups. Thus, it is not necessary to talk about the high availability of effective antidepressant drugs for the majority of the population. However, a doctor can help you choose a less expensive drug with similar properties, the so-called generic.

Interaction with other drugs

Antidepressants can interact with others, even those that seem completely safe and familiar to us. The most active in this regard are tricyclic thymoanaleptics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, but the drugs of the SSRI and SNRI groups practically do not interact with other medicines. In any case, if your doctor prescribes you any medications for depression, be sure to find out if you can combine their intake with the use of other medications, dietary supplements, and even teas and herbal teas.

Oddly enough, it sounds, but many people who need to take thymoleptics for various reasons ask the question of how often you can combine the intake of "strong" drinks and anti-depression pills. The answer to this question is quite simple: if you want to risk your mental and physical health, and maybe your life, try it! The fact is that both alcohol and antidepressants have a serious effect on the central nervous system and the brain, and such double pressure can negatively affect both the “mission control center”, that is, the brain, and the organs and systems subordinate to it. Whether or not to combine - the decision is up to you and only you.

Instead of a conclusion

You should not think and "puzzle" over which antidepressants are better and more effective. If you feel that every new day is becoming harder to live than the previous one, you don’t have enough strength even for the simplest and most ordinary things, contact a specialist! The doctor will be able to diagnose your disease and prescribe the necessary treatment by choosing the most suitable medicines for you. It can be not only antidepressants. The arsenal of today's medicine is quite extensive: different kinds psychotherapy, physical exercise and acupuncture, breathing practices and physiotherapy treatments.

When you're suffering from deep, disabling depression, the idea that a pill will give you life - and hope - is extremely attractive. But are antidepressants always the best option? Is there solid evidence that they work in the long run? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns? And are there any truly effective non-drug treatments? This - important questions to consider when you are considering antidepressant treatment. Finding out the facts about what antidepressants will (and won't do) will help you weigh the benefits and risks and make a more informed decision.

Effectiveness of antidepressants?

So now we know that depression is not just a matter of too little serotonin. But that doesn't mean antidepressants don't work. Returning to our aspirin analogy, although headaches are not caused by aspirin deficiency, they still go away when you take a couple of aspirins. Is the same true for antidepressants and depression? Again, the data will surprise you.

When depression becomes severe, medications are often very helpful—even life-saving. However, studies show that only a small number of people get better with antidepressants, and some even get worse. Moreover, many who initially responded to medication then slip back into depression despite adhering to medication.

Other research suggests that the benefits of antidepressants are exaggerated, and a growing body of research is concluding that when it comes to mild to moderate depression, antidepressants are no more effective than the placebo effect.

I'm depressed and I need relief. Where will it take me?

Medication may be right for you if depression interferes with your ability to function in areas that are important to you—work, school, or relationships, for example. However, many people take antidepressants when psychotherapy, exercise, or self-help strategies would work just as well or even better—minus the side effects. Even if you decide to take medication, it's a good idea to go to therapy and lifestyle changes that will go to the very root of the underlying problems and develop the tools that will best defeat depression.

Side effects of antidepressants

There are many types of pills that are used to treat depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants (TRAs), and monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Side effects are present with all antidepressants. For many people, the side effects are severe enough to make the decision to stop taking the medication.

Side effects of SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

The most commonly prescribed antidepressants come from a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs include drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil.

SSRIs act on brain chemicals called serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, but it also plays a role in relation to digestion, painful sensations, sleep, clarity of mind and other bodily functions. As a result, SSRI antidepressants cause a range of side effects.

Common side effects of SSRIs

• Nausea
• Tremor
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Restlessness
• Dry mouth
• Decreased sex drive
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Headaches

SSRIs also cause severe withdrawal symptoms, especially if you stop taking them abruptly.

Side effects of atypical antidepressants

There are many newer types of antidepressants called atypical antidepressants. They target other neurotransmitters either alone or in association with serotonin. Some of the brain chemicals they affect are norepinephrine and dopamine. Examples of atypical antidepressants are as follows:

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Trazodone (Desyrel)
• Nefazodon (Serzon)

Side effects vary depending on the specific pills. However, many atypical antidepressants cause nausea, fatigue, weight gain, drowsiness, nervousness, dry mouth, and blurred vision.

Side effects of older depression pills

Tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) are older classes of antidepressants. Their side effects are more severe than those found with newer antidepressants, so they are rarely prescribed and only as a last resort when other medications have failed.

Antidepressants and the risk of suicide

There is a danger that - in some people - antidepressant treatment causes an increase - not a decrease - in depression. In fact, in the United States, the FDA food products Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all medications for depression be labeled with an increased risk of suicide in children and young adults. The risk of suicide is especially high during the first month and the second month of treatment.

Anyone taking antidepressants should be closely monitored for suicidal thoughts and behavior. Signs that medications are making things worse include anxiety, insomnia, hostility, and excessive anxiety—especially if the symptoms come on suddenly and subside quickly. If you notice warning signs in yourself or in someone you love and appreciate, tell your doctor or therapist right away.

Risk factors for taking antidepressants

Anyone taking antidepressants is likely to experience side effects, but some people are at higher risk:

• People over 65. Studies show that SSRI-type antidepressants increase the risk of falls, fractures, and bone loss in older people.
• Pregnant women. The use of SSRIs in late pregnancy sometimes results in short-term withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Typical symptoms include tremors, restlessness, mild breathing problems, and weak crying.
• Adolescents and young adults. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all medications for depression to include a warning label about an increased risk of suicide in children and young adults.
• People with bipolar disorder. Antidepressants actually worsen bipolar disorder or trigger an episode of mania. There are other treatments available for people with bipolar disorder.

Do I need medication for depression?

If you are considering antidepressants as a treatment option, the following questions will help you make your decision:

Questions to ask yourself and your mental health professional

1. Is my depression negatively impacting my life enough to require medication?
2. Does it drug treatment– the best treatment option for my depression?
3. Am I willing to put up with unwanted side effects?
4. What types of non-drug treatments can help me with depression?
5. Do I have the time and motivation to pursue other types of treatment such as psychotherapy and exercise?
6. What self-help strategies could reduce my depression?
7. If I decide to take medication, should I also have psychotherapy?

Questions to ask your doctor

1. How many years of professional training do you have behind you?
2. Are there any medical conditions that can cause depression?
3. What are the side effects and risks of taking the antidepressants you recommend?
4. Are there any foods or substances that I will need to avoid?
5. How will these pills interact with other medicines I take?
6. How long will I have to take these medicines?
7. Will it be difficult to stop taking the pills?
8. Will my depression return when I stop taking the medication?

Medication isn't the only way to relieve stress

Remember that antidepressants do not cure. Medications treat some of the symptoms of depression, but they do not change the underlying problems or the situation in your life that caused the depression. That's where training, psychotherapy, "full awareness" meditation, social support and other lifestyle changes are starting to come into play. These non-drug treatments will lead to lasting change and long-term relief.

Guidelines for taking antidepressants

The more you know about your antidepressants, the better equipped you are to manage side effects, avoid dangerous drug interactions, and minimize other safety issues. Some recommendations:

• See a psychiatrist, not a doctor. Your doctor will help you or the person you love and appreciate recognize that you need treatment for depression. But although any doctor has the right to prescribe antidepressants, psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in treating psychological illness. They are more likely to be familiar with the latest antidepressant research and safety issues. Your health depends on the professionalism of the doctor, so it is important to choose the most qualified one.
• Follow instructions. Be sure you take your antidepressants as instructed by your doctor. Do not skip or change the dosage, and do not stop taking the tablets when you feel better. Stopping treatment prematurely is associated with a high chance of relapse and will result in severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Know about interactions with other drugs. You will need to avoid alcohol while taking SSRIs, as it reduces the effect of the pills. A dangerous pill interaction occurs when SSRIs are taken with antihistamines, found in many cold and allergy medications, as well as sleeping pills; do not mix with painkillers. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before combining medicines.
• Track side effects. Pay close attention to any physical and emotional changes in your perception and talk to your doctor about them. Tell your doctor or therapist right away if your depression worsens or you experience an increase in suicidal thoughts. See your doctor regularly.
• be patient. Selection right pills and dosage is a process that requires trial and error. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for antidepressants to begin to exert their maximum therapeutic effect. Many people try several drugs before finding one that works.

Withdrawal syndrome while taking antidepressants

Once you start taking antidepressants, it will be difficult to stop them. Many people experience severe withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult to stop taking medication. If you decide to stop taking antidepressants, it is important to consult with your doctor and wean them off gradually.

Withdrawal symptoms when stopping antidepressants

When you stop taking antidepressants, you may experience several unpleasant—and even disabling—withdrawal symptoms, including:

• Anxiety and anxiety
• Depression and mood swings
• Flu and cold-like symptoms
• Irritability and aggression
• Insomnia and nightmares
• excessive restlessness
• fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness and loss of coordination
• Stomach cramps and abdominal pain
• Feelings of electric shock
• Tremor, muscle spasms

• Reduce dosage gradually. To minimize the symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome, never stop taking medication abruptly. Instead, reduce the dose gradually step by step (many experiments recommend reduction in steps of 10%), leaving two to six weeks or even more between steps.
• Don't rush the process. The process of quitting antidepressants can take anywhere from a few months to a year and must be done under close medical supervision. Be patient. If at any point you experience difficulty, consider continuing with your current dosage before trying further reductions.
• Choose a less stressful time to stop taking. Stopping antidepressants is a difficult process, so it's best to start when you're not under a lot of stress. If you are currently going through some big life changes or significant stressful circumstances, then it is probably best to wait for a more stable period of time.

IN last years depressive states in people, and especially in residents of large cities, began to occur quite often. This is largely facilitated by the rapid rhythm of life, disturbed ecology, constant stress. Some people try to cure depression with alcoholic beverages. But this approach is fundamentally wrong. The problem will not be solved in this way, but it is quite possible to gradually become an alcoholic. Depression is a disease and it should be treated with the help of drugs - antidepressants.

Mechanism of action of antidepressants

Currently, a wide variety of antidepressants belonging to various groups are sold in the pharmacy network. medicinal substances. But the action of most of them is the same and is aimed at changing the content in the brain tissues of some chemical substances called neurotransmitters. Their deficiency leads to various disorders of the psyche and the central nervous activity, in particular, causes the development of depression.

The action of antidepressants is that they either increase the content of neurotransmitters in the brain, or make brain cells more susceptible to them. All antidepressants are prescribed for fairly long courses. This is due to the fact that they do not begin to show their effect immediately. Often a positive effect of taking medicinal product begins to develop only after a few weeks from the start of its reception. In cases where it is required that the action of antidepressants be manifested faster, the doctor may prescribe them in injections.

According to reviews, antidepressants are quite effective medicines. Their reception reliably eliminates such manifestations of depression as a feeling of hopelessness, loss of interest in life, apathy, sadness, anxiety and melancholy.

What to do if antidepressants don't help?

You can often hear from people that it makes no sense to take these drugs, in view of their inefficiency. But most often the problem lies in the fact that a person buys antidepressants in a pharmacy without a prescription, and, therefore, without consulting a doctor. In this case, the medicine may simply not be right for you, or you may be taking it in the wrong dosage. Contact your doctor and he will prescribe the necessary treatment for you. In addition, do not forget that in order to correctly assess the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment, they should be taken for a long time, at least three months.

Cheap doesn't mean bad

Often, patients refuse to take antidepressants because of their high cost. However, in pharmacies, you can almost always buy cheaper analogues (generics) that are not inferior to the main drug in terms of their effectiveness, quality or safety. Cheap antidepressants, according to patients, work no worse than their own. expensive analogues. But if you still have doubts, then you can always consult on the choice of a drug with your doctor.

How long is antidepressant treatment?

Doctors usually prescribe antidepressants for long courses ranging from three months to one year. You should not refuse treatment on your own until the completion of the course recommended by your doctor.

Some antidepressants not only relieve the symptoms of depression, but also have a psychostimulant effect. When taking them, the patient often has problems falling asleep. But even in this case, further treatment with antidepressants should not be abandoned. It is necessary to consult a doctor and ask him to change the scheme of therapy. For example, your doctor may recommend that you take the necessary medicines in the morning and afternoon.

Side effects of antidepressants

Taking any medication, including antidepressants, can lead to the development of side effects. Antidepressants, according to reviews, most often cause a slight feeling of nausea, problems with falling asleep, and very rarely, violations in the sexual sphere. As practice shows, all these side effects are observed in the first days of taking antidepressants and subsequently disappear on their own, without requiring any additional treatment.

Majority modern drugs for the treatment of depression practically do not react with other medications taken. But if you buy antidepressants without a prescription and take any other drugs, including dietary supplements (biologically active additives), then be sure to consult with a specialist about the safety of their joint reception.

Common myths about antidepressants

Many people are wary of antidepressant treatment, believing that these drugs will deprive them of all human emotions and thereby turn them into soulless robots. But actually it is not. According to reviews, antidepressants eliminate only feelings of fear, anxiety, longing. But they have no effect on all other emotions.

Another common myth about antidepressants is that once you start treatment with these drugs, you will have to continue it for the rest of your life. In fact, antidepressants do not cause physical addiction or mental dependence. They are simply prescribed by a doctor for a long course.

Antidepressant treatment and exercise

During sports training, the human body begins to intensively produce "hormones of joy" - endorphins. They well reduce the severity of depression and improve mood. Therefore, regular exercise is perfectly combined with antidepressant treatment, reduces its duration, and reduces the dosage of the drugs used.

For minor depression, instead of going to the pharmacy and buying antidepressants without a prescription, it is better to go to the pool or gym. Thus, you will not only improve your mood without the use of medicines, but also bring a lot of benefits to your body as a whole.

End of antidepressant treatment

If you have started a course of antidepressant therapy, then never finish it on your own without the advice of a doctor. This is due to the fact that the abolition of antidepressants should occur rather slowly and gradually. With a sharp refusal from further treatment of depression, its symptoms almost immediately return again, and often become even stronger than they were before the start of therapy. Therefore, the abolition of antidepressants should be carried out strictly according to the scheme recommended by the attending physician.

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