Depression Medication

Antidepressants are a prescription medication primarily prescribed to treat depression and other mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders.  The first antidepressant medication was discovered accidently during the 1950s when a drug that was developed and used in the treatment of" tuberculosis called "Iproniazid" was found to relieve the symptoms of depression in tuberculosis patients.

This discovery lead to the development of other "MAOIs" or "monoamine oxidase inhibitors" for the specific use of treating depression of which many are still in use today. It is the neurotransmitters or chemicals in the brain that scientists and researchers believe are responsible for controlling moods and antidepressants function in such a way that they increase these chemicals within the brain. 

The Dangers of MAOIs and why SSRIs are the Preferred Method of Treating Depression Today 

"MAOI's" or "monoamine oxidase inhibitors" were the first medications used in the treatment of depression. MAOIs work by blocking an enzyme in the brain that is responsible for metabolizing certain neurotransmitters or chemicals in the brain that includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

This results in increases of the level of these chemicals in the brain that can stabilize the mood. MAOIs are very effective when it comes to treating depression; however, these drugs are extremely dangerous due to their serious side effects and interaction when taken with other over-the-counter medications as well as certain common foods.

"TCA's" or "tricyclic antidepressants" were the second drug developed by scientists to treat depression and were commonly used for many years to replace MAOIs because they have fewer side effects; however, they are extremely dangerous when given in high dosages. 

Today, the most commonly used and preferred drug when it comes to treating depression are "SSRIs" or "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors". SSRIs have fewer side effects than any of the other antidepressant medications and are very effective in raising the level of serotonin in the brain that scientists believe play the primary roll in affecting the mood.

There are many different SSRI medications that include the brand names "Prozac", "Zoloft", "Celexa", and "Lexapro". The differences among the SSRIs are their pharmacological characteristic which means that individuals can have different side effects or reactions when taking different ones. For this reason when an individual is first prescribed one of these medications to treat their depression and experiences unwanted side effects, they may need to change to a different one until they discover which one works best for them. 

Common Side Effects of Antidepressant Medications 

Some of the most common side effects that can be experienced with antidepressant medication include drowsiness, dry mouth, decrease in sexual functioning, changes in appetite, and increased symptoms of anxiety or depression. However, when these side effects do occur they typically decrease once the individuals becomes adjusted to the medication.

While all antidepressant medications are capable of mild to serious side effects, in the majority of cases the benefits outweigh the risks. Having a form of clinical or major depression can have a serious negative impact on an individual's overall quality of life and they are also at a significantly higher risk for suicide.