Types Antidepressant
MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
MAOIs have severe interactions with certain foods, drinks and medications containing tyramine, such as chocolate, cheese and alcohol. This can result in dangerously high blood pressure, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. For this reason these drugs are not commonly used. An example of an MAOI is tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Antidepressant Withdrawal
While antidepressant medication is not addictive, it is not a good idea to stop it suddenly. If you do, you may experience a number of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. These symptoms may include flu-like symptoms, nausea, anxiety, restlessness, agitation and sleep disturbance, including nightmares. Therefore, as with all medication Sildenafil Canada, it is important to discuss any potential changes with your doctor.
How Effective Are Antidepressants?
Treatment with antidepressant medication can help about 70 per cent of people with depression. Some people can’t tolerate the side effects. There are sometimes other effective treatment approaches that can be taken in addition to or instead of medications. It’s up to you to evaluate your options and decide what’s best for you. A good chat with your family doctor is a great place to start. Being aware of the facts can help you make an informed and personal decision about how best to treat your depression.
St John’s wort has been shown to be effective in treating mild depression. Otherwise known as Hypericum perforatum, the plant’s common name comes from the fact that its flowers typically bloom around the birthday of St John the Baptist on 24 June each year. St John’s wort is used widely throughout Europe and America to treat symptoms of anxiety, stress and mild depression. It is sometimes referred to as ‘nature’s Prozac’. Many people like the fact that it is a natural product and may be more amenable to trying this rather than conventional medication. In many countries, St John’s wort is available in health shops as a supplement. However, here in Ireland it is only available on prescription. There is some evidence that it can be effective in treating mild depression, helping to raise serotonin levels. The active ingredient is hypericin and there can be a wide range of potency and purity in the preparations available.
It appears to be safe, with few side effects. Some people describe stomach upset, tiredness, dry mouth or dizziness when using it. However, it does increase the tendency to sunburn, if you are fortunate enough to experience some good weather. St John’s wort can interfere with other medications, including warfarin, drug treatments for epilepsy, depression and heart disease, antibiotics and over-the-counter cough bottles such as pseudoephedrine.