antidepressant /an·ti·de·pres·sant/ (an″te-) (an″ti-de-pres´ant) preventing or relieving depression; also, an agent that so acts.
Antidepressant
antidepressant
antidepressant [an″te-, an″ti-de-pres´ant]
antidepressant,
antidepressant
Patient discussion about antidepressant.
tricyclic antidepressant any of a class of drugs with particular tricyclic structure and potentiating catecholamine action; used for the treatment of depression.
an·ti·de·pres·sant ( n t -d -pr s  nt, nt -)n. A drug used to prevent or treat clinical depression. an ti·de·pressant, anti·de·pressive (-prsv) adj. |
Antidepressant
A medication used to relieve the symptoms of clinical depression.
Mentioned in: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Premenstrual Syndrome
antidepressant
[-dəpres′ənt]
1 pertaining to a substance or a measure that prevents or relieves depression.
2 an antidepressant drug.
antidepressant [an″te-, an″ti-de-pres´ant]
1. preventing or relieving depression.
2. an agent used for relief of symptoms of depression. One type is the tricyclic antidepressants, so called because of their chemical structure, which has three fused rings; they block reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin at nerve endings. This group includes amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and trimipramine (Surmontil). Two drugs with different chemical structures but similar effects are amoxapine (Asendin) and maprotiline (Ludiomil). These drugs vary in the degree to which they affect reuptake of the two neurotransmitters. Also, some are sedating while others are alerting. The patient must take the drug for about 2 to 3 weeks before the full therapeutic effect is established.
An older group of antidepressants is the monoamine oxidase inhibitorsisocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These drugs inhibit monoamine oxidase, the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine and serotonin released at nerve synapses. They are not as widely used as the tricyclic antidepressants because serious cardiovascular side effects (hypertension, headache, stroke syndrome) can occur when tyramine is ingested, and foods containing tyramine, such as cheese, certain beans, beer, and wine, must be avoided by patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
A third class consists of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which inhibit reuptake of serotonin without affecting reuptake of norepinephrine. This group includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). Drugs in this group are as effective as the tricyclic antidepressants but have fewer side effects. The most significant adverse reaction seen with this group is agitation, which can be lessened by decreasing the dose. Weight gain and sexual dysfunction may also occur.
An older group of antidepressants is the monoamine oxidase inhibitorsisocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These drugs inhibit monoamine oxidase, the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine and serotonin released at nerve synapses. They are not as widely used as the tricyclic antidepressants because serious cardiovascular side effects (hypertension, headache, stroke syndrome) can occur when tyramine is ingested, and foods containing tyramine, such as cheese, certain beans, beer, and wine, must be avoided by patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
A third class consists of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which inhibit reuptake of serotonin without affecting reuptake of norepinephrine. This group includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). Drugs in this group are as effective as the tricyclic antidepressants but have fewer side effects. The most significant adverse reaction seen with this group is agitation, which can be lessened by decreasing the dose. Weight gain and sexual dysfunction may also occur.
antidepressant,
n/adj a substance that can alleviate depression.
antidepressant
adjective Relieving depression noun An agent used to manage depression, anxiety, panic disorders. See Depression, Prozac/fluxetine, Tricyclic antidepressant.
Patient discussion about antidepressant.
Q. I was diagnosed with depression and have taken a whole host of antidepressants. I’m Mark, 29 years old male. I was diagnosed with depression and have taken a whole host of antidepressants. My eyes are extremely blurry, I’m worrying about that. Does this side effect go away with time, or is it permanent while on medications?
A. If you've got blurrly vision becuase of a medication, you need to go see that doctor who prescribed it, and see if there is another medication that won't have side effects for you. I know everyone is different.
Welbutrin made me itch all over and the doctor changed me to something else.
The trouble with depression medication, is that its not so wise to decide by yourself to stop taking it. That's well documented.
With blurry vision, that could be unsafe for driving and can affect your work and daily activity. There are alternative medications. The side effects for one patient may not be there for others.
You can look up side effects of your particular medication on the internet right now. You might be able to find out more helpful info.
Maybe your dosage is not right?? That's doctor stuff... Go see your doctor ASAP.
Welbutrin made me itch all over and the doctor changed me to something else.
The trouble with depression medication, is that its not so wise to decide by yourself to stop taking it. That's well documented.
With blurry vision, that could be unsafe for driving and can affect your work and daily activity. There are alternative medications. The side effects for one patient may not be there for others.
You can look up side effects of your particular medication on the internet right now. You might be able to find out more helpful info.
Maybe your dosage is not right?? That's doctor stuff... Go see your doctor ASAP.
Q. My sister is taking antidepressants for her depression. My sister is taking antidepressants for her depression. Antidepressant causes her severe headache. Her medicines were changed but there is no impact in her headache. This headache is continuous and reduces only after a good sleep. I think she can try with Chinese medicines for her headache? Will it be of any help?
A. She needs to go back to her doctor and report the problem with her headaches. Medication should not be causing headaches. The doctor can prescribe another medication and take care of the problem. Its best to stick with your doctor instead of going off on tangents and trying to treat yourself. There could be adverse reactions with other over the counter stuff. Be open and honest with your doctor and work with him/her.
Q. Please suggest me the natural or alternative ways to beat depression without taking any antidepressants? I suffer from clinical depression yet never tried antidepressants due to the fear of getting addicted to them. Please suggest me the natural or alternative ways to beat depression without taking any antidepressants?
A. Hi, I felt so when depressed. Later I tried psychotherapists and psychologists and that has really helped me to come out from depression. You need to exercise regularly to keep you fit and healthy. All the best!
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