In Dr. Robert Lustig’s book The Hacking of the American Mind, Chapter 7, Contentment and Serotonin, Dr Lustig references older and common Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) anti-depressants. Let’s learn a little
more about them.
Prozac (generic name-fluoxetine): It is
available as a liquid, tablet, capsule, and as a delayed-release, long-acting
capsule.
From WebMD: Fluoxetine
is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, a
certain eating disorder (bulimia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome
(premenstrual dysphoric disorder).
This medication may
improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your
interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and
the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated
tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that interfere
with daily living. Fluoxetine may lessen premenstrual symptoms such as
irritability, increased appetite, and depression. It may decrease binging and
purging behaviors in bulimia.
Side Effects: Nausea,
drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, tiredness,
sweating, or yawning may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell
your doctor promptly.
Precautions: Before
taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or
if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients,
which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist
for more details.
From Wikipedia: Fluoxetine
was discovered by Eli Lilly and Company in 1972 and entered medical use in 1986
It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, the most
effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The wholesale cost in
the developing world is between US$0.01 and US$0.04 per day as of 2014. In the
United States, it costs about US$0.85 per day. In 2016 it was the 29th most
prescribed medication in the United States with more than 23 million
prescriptions.
Common side effects
include trouble sleeping, sexual dysfunction, loss of appetite, dry mouth, rash
and abnormal dreams. Serious side effects include serotonin syndrome, mania,
seizures, an increased risk of suicidal behavior in people under 25 years old
and an increased risk of bleeding. If stopped suddenly, a withdrawal syndrome
may occur with anxiety, dizziness and changes in sensation.
From verywellmind.com: As an SSRI, Prozac works by preventing the brain from reabsorbing naturally occurring serotonin. Serotonin is involved in mood regulation. In this way, Prozac helps the brain to maintain enough serotonin so that you have a feeling of well-being, resulting from improved communication between brain cells.
Research also highlights how medications such as Prozac may help in combination with psychotherapy. In a 2008 study published in Science, it was shown that in mice, Prozac helped the brain to enter a more immature and plastic state, possibly making it easier for therapy to have an effect. We do know that combining medication such as Prozac with talk therapy is effective for anxiety, and this study indicates a potential reason why.
Zoloft: (generic name-sertraline):
From WebMD: Sertraline
is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder,
post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and a
severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).
This medication may
improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your
interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and
the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated
tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that interfere
with daily living. Sertraline is known as a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain
natural substance (serotonin) in the brain.
From Wkipedia: Sertraline
was approved for medical use in the United States in 1991 and initially sold by
Pfizer]] In 2016, it was the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the
United States with over 37 million prescriptions.
From verywellmind.com: As with all medications, Zoloft may cause certain unwanted side effects. The most commonly experienced in those taking Zoloft include:
Diarrhea, Nausea, Indigestion, Decreased appetite, Fatigue, Sleepiness,
Insomnia, Tremors, Agitation, Increased sweating, Sexual problems, including
loss of libido and inability to ejaculate, Gastrointestinal problems can occur
in as many as one in four people
There are some serious side effects associated with Zoloft use: Black or bloody stools, Chest pain, Fainting, Fast or irregular heartbeat, A severe or a persistent headache, Fever over 100 degrees F, Seizure, Suicidal thoughts, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a rare but potentially fatal allergic reaction.
Celexa (generic
name-citalopram):
From WebMD: Citalopram
is used to treat depression. It may improve your energy level and feelings of
well-being. Citalopram is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI). This medication works by helping to restore the balance of a certain
natural substance (serotonin) in the brain.
To reduce your risk of
side effects, your doctor may direct you to start taking this drug at a low
dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions
carefully. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer
than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of
side effects will increase. Take this medication regularly to get the most
benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Side effects: Nausea,
dry mouth, loss of appetite, tiredness, drowsiness, sweating, blurred vision,
and yawning may occur.
From Wikipedia: Citalopram,
sold under the brand name Celexa among others, is an antidepressant of the
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is used to treat major
depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social
phobia. Benefits may take one to four weeks to occur. It is taken by mouth.
From Drugs.com: Celexa
is made by Forest Laboratories, Inc.
From verywellmind.com: Celexa is an antidepressant medication that’s often prescribed to treat both mood and anxiety disorders. Celexa belongs to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
How Celexa Works:
Celexa balances your level of serotonin, a naturally occurring chemical
substance or neurotransmitter in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for
regulating sleep, mood, and other functions. Research has shown that imbalanced
brain chemicals can contribute to mood and anxiety disorders, but the exact
cause of panic disorder remains unknown. An SSRI like Celexa can assist in
balancing serotonin by preventing the nerve cells in the brain from absorbing
it. By reducing the rate at which serotonin is reabsorbed, Celexa changes your
brain chemistry, improving mood and reducing feelings of anxiety. Celexa can
assist in decreasing the severity of panic attacks and other panic disorder
symptoms. Plus, Celexa can also reduce symptoms if you have a common
co-occurring condition, such as depression.
Paxil
(generic-paroxetine):
From verywellmind.com: Paxil is an antidepressant medication approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and other anxiety disorders. It is in the same class as Prozac and Zoloft. Like other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), it was developed as a treatment for depression.
Paxil was approved for
the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in 2001 and social anxiety
disorder (SAD) in 1999. It is also a prescribed treatment for panic disorder,
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD),
and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Nerve impulses are
transmitted chemically between neurons in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters
like serotonin are produced by one neuron. They travel between the cells and
are deposited on the second neuron. It is theorized by some that keeping the
serotonin around longer results in relief of depression.
People with GAD
develop chronic and exaggerated worry and tension, even though nothing seems to
provoke it. Those with this disorder are always anticipating disaster. They
often worry excessively about health, money, family, or work. Just the thought
of getting through the day may provoke anxiety.
Many people with GAD
realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. This
knowledge does not reduce the anxiety. They may report being unable to relax
and often have trouble falling or staying asleep.
Their worries are
usually accompanied by physical symptoms, especially trembling, twitching,
muscle tension, headaches, irritability, sweating, or hot flashes. They may
feel lightheaded, out of breath, nauseated or have to go to the bathroom
frequently. They might also feel as though they have a lump in the throat.
Generalized anxiety
disorder is usually treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of
the two. It can take some time to figure out the best combination for you, so
be patient and keep your doctor informed about what is and isn’t working for you.
Common side effects of Paxil are nervousness, sleep difficulties (either too much or too little), restlessness, fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, headache, sweating, diarrhea, and sexual problems. Typically, these side effects will go away within a couple weeks of taking the medication.
For a complete list of other anti-depressants, please refer to this Wikipedia link.
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