Depression Drugs

Depression Drugs

Depression is a common illness affecting an individual's physical body, mood, and thoughts in such a way that interfered with his normal functioning. About five percent of the American adult population suffers from depression at one point.

The symptoms of depression are varied and to treat these symptoms different types of depression drugs are also needed. Now, before we give you list of some of the most common depression drugs used by health practitioners, it is important to understand that medications do not cure depression. They only treat the symptoms and individual responses to depression drugs may also vary, depending on several factors, such as the severity and intensity of the symptoms, the patient's age, sex, and body chemistry, and other environmental factors.

Amitriptyline

The amitriptyline depression drugs are more widely known under the brand names Elavil and Endep, both of which are antidepressants and sedatives. As such, amitriptyline works for depressed patients suffering from symptoms such as insomnia, restlessness and nervousness or anxiety.

Bupropion

Sold under the brand names Wellbutrin, Zyban, and Wellbutrin SR, Bupropion depression drugs are antidepressants that primarily affects the chemicals within the brain, called neurotransmitters. After neurotransmitters are released by the nerves, they are usually taken up again by the nerves for reuse. This process is called "reuptake."

Research has found that one of the causes of depression is the imbalance in the amount of neurotransmitters released and the amount of reuptake. By harmonizing the release and reuptake of neurotransmitters, Bupropion seeks to alleviate the symptoms of depression.

Buspirone

More commonly known by its brand name Buspar, Buspirone depression drugs are used to treat anxiety. The depression drugs work by stimulating the serotonin (an important neurotransmitter) receptors on the nerves. In so doing, the medication alters the chemical messages that nerves transmit to each other. Unlike other anti-anxiety medications such as diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam, buspirone does not cause sedation.

Citalopram

A type of depression drugs, Citalopram works by affecting chemical transmitters within the brain, specifically preventing the reuptake of serotonin. This results in more free serotonin in the brain to stimulate the brain cells, and thus help in elevating mood. Citalopram belongs to the class of depression drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertaline (Zoloft).

Desipramine

A type of tricyclic depression drugs, Desipramine helps raise the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. In addition, this drug is also responsible for the antidepressant effects of another tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine (Tofranil), since imipramine is convereted by the body to Desipramine.

Escitalopram

Marketed under the brand name Lexapro, Escitalopram is a type of depression drugs that inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter of the brain. Studies have shown that high levels of serotonin in the brain reduces the symptoms of depression. By thus decreasing the reuptake of serotonin, Escitalopram can help alleviate the symptoms of depression.