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Once
a diagnosis is made, the basic medications used for depression today
are:
Tricyclic
antidepressants such as Elavil, Tofranil, and Pamelor are prescribed
for patients who are in despair, feeling helpless, and unable to
feel pleasure.
Serotonin uptake inhibitors such
as Prozac, Paxil, and Effexor, all prescribed for uncomplicated
depression.
Monoamine Oxidase (mao) Inhibitors
like Nardil and Parnate: These medications are usually used when
depressive symptoms are accompanied by symptoms of an anxiety
disorder.
Lithium: This is the most
effective drug for manic depression. However, it can also be used to
prevent recurring episodes of depression.
When
one of these medications is prescribed, follow-up and continued
medical supervision are critical. Blood tests and other metabolic
studies are often performed on a regular basis to determine the
effect of the drug on the patient. This can be a drawn-out process,
because most drugs for depression don't relieve symptoms instantly.
Often it takes four to six weeks for a medication to become
effective. |
