A short documentary was filmed about last year's mental health rally by Brave New Films! It was an amazing experience.
Check out the video. ⤵
Types of Medications
Explore different types of medications
How Do Medications Work?
BASIC FUNCTION REVIEW
In the brain, neurons relay messages using what are called neurotransmitters. These are chemicals such as dopamine or serotonin. They are what control our emotions, reactions, and actions. They are our brain's responses to environmental factors.
Neuron
BASIC FUNCTION REVIEW
Neurotransmitters stored in the axon terminal travel to the nearby dendrite and create a chemical bridge so electronic messages can travel between the gap.
The type and quantity of neurotransmitters in the synapse (space between the axon terminal and the dendrite) impact how messages are sent and received. Again, this is what affects how a person feels, reacts, and acts.
Axon Terminal
Dendrite
Axon Terminal
Synapse
.png)
Axon Terminal
Dendrite
Dendrite
MEDICATION'S IMPACT ON NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Different medications behave in different ways. Specific medications impact specific neurotransmitters. Additionally, some medications are designed to block the production of neurotransmitters, while others increase the production.
Through introducing medication, it changes the amount of neurotransmitters in your body and starts a series of chemical changes that happen in the cells and neurons.
These changes eventually produce significant changes in the way that these neurons send and receive information, as well as function in general.
This is why you have to be consistent about taking medications and why it takes time to adjust to them.
Types of Medications
ANTI-DEPRESSANTS
Antidepressants are a type of medicine that most often help treat depression and anxiety related disorders. They are sorted into classes based on the different kinds of neurotransmitters they affect.
There are:
-
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
-
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
-
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
-
Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressants (NaSSAs)
-
Serotonin Antagonists and Reuptake Inhibitors
-
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)
SSRIs are used to treat and ease symptoms of moderate depression. They are relatively safe and typically cause fewer side effects than other types of depression.
Many also couple this medication treatment with CBT.
WHAT THEY TREAT
LIST OF SSRIs
-
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
-
Citalopram (Celexa)
-
Sertraline (Zoloft)
-
Paroxetine (Paxil)
-
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
-
Headache
-
Drowsiness
-
Dry mouth
-
Insomnia
-
Nervousness, agitation or restlessness
-
Dizziness
-
Sexual problems, such as reduced sexual desire, difficulty reaching orgasm or inability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
-
Impact on appetite, leading to weight loss or weight gain
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"It's thought that SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a messenger chemical that carries signals between nerve cells in the brain). It's thought to have a good influence on mood, emotion and sleep.
After carrying a message, serotonin is usually reabsorbed by the nerve cells (known as 'reuptake'). SSRIs work by blocking ('inhibiting') reuptake, meaning more serotonin is available to pass further messages between nearby nerve cells."
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
(SNRIs)
Antidepressant SNRIs help relieve depression symptoms, such as irritability and sadness, but some are also used for anxiety disorders and nerve pain.
WHAT THEY TREAT
LIST OF SNRIs
-
Generalized Anxiety Disorder + other anxiety disorders
-
Fibromyalgia
-
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
-
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
-
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
-
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Nausea
-
Dry mouth
-
Dizziness
-
Headache
-
Excessive sweating
-
Loss of appetite
-
Tiredness
-
Constipation
-
Insomnia
-
Changes in sexual function, such as reduced sexual desire, difficulty reaching orgasm or the inability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"SNRIs ease depression by affecting chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) used to communicate between brain cells. Like most antidepressants, SNRIs work by ultimately effecting changes in brain chemistry and communication in brain nerve cell circuitry known to regulate mood, to help relieve depression.
SNRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain."
Tricyclic Antidepressants
(TCAs)
TCAs are an older type of antidepressant. They're no longer usually recommended as the first treatment for depression because they can be more dangerous if an overdose is taken. They also cause more unpleasant side effects than SSRIs and SNRIs.
Exceptions are sometimes made for people with severe depression that fail to respond to other treatments.
WHAT THEY TREAT
LIST OF TCAs
-
Some kinds are used for chronic pain
-
Amitriptyline
-
Clomipramine
-
Dosulepin
-
Imipramine
-
Lofepramine
-
Nortriptyline
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
-
Feeling and being sick
-
Indigestion and stomach aches
-
Diarrhea or constipation
-
Loss of appetite
-
Dizziness
-
Headaches
-
Not sleeping well (insomnia), or feeling very sleepy
-
Loss of libido (reduced sex drive)
-
Difficulties achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation
-
Difficulties obtaining or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Tricyclic antidepressants work by increasing levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter and hormone known to affect mood) in the brain. Just like SNRIs, TCAs work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine to increase levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain."
SOURCES
Noradrenaline and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressants
(NASSAs)
NASSAs may be effective for some people who are unable to take SSRIs. The side effects of NASSAs are similar to those of SSRIs, but they're thought to cause fewer sexual problems. However, they may also cause more drowsiness at first.
WHAT THEY TREAT
LIST OF NASSAs
-
Generalized Anxiety Disorder + other anxiety disorders
-
Aptazapine (CGS-7525A)
-
Esmirtazapine (ORG-50,081)
-
Mianserin (Bolvidon, Norval, Tolvon)
-
Mirtazapine (Norset, Remeron, Avanza, Zispin)
-
Setiptiline/teciptiline (Tecipul)
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Drowsiness
-
Nausea
-
Vomiting
-
Dry mouth
-
Increased appetite
-
Weight gain
-
Diarrhea or constipation
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) work by blocking receptors on brain cells that receive signals from monoamine neurotransmitters. Monoamine neurotransmitters include dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. By blocking these receptors, NaSSAs increase levels of monoamine neurotransmitters to relieve depression symptoms."
SOURCES
Serotonin Antagonists and Reuptake Inhibitors
(SARIs)
SARIs are not usually the first choice of antidepressant, but they may be prescribed if other antidepressants have not worked or have caused side effects.
WHAT THEY TREAT
LIST OF SARIs
-
Etoperidone (Axiomin, Etonin)
-
Lorpiprazole (Normarex)
-
Mepiprazole (Psigodal)
-
Nefazodone (Serzone, Nefadar)
-
Trazodone (Desyrel)
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
-
Feeling and being sick
-
Indigestion and stomach aches
-
Diarrhea or constipation
-
Loss of appetite
-
Dizziness
-
Headaches
-
Not sleeping well (insomnia), or feeling very sleepy
-
Loss of libido (reduced sex drive)
-
Difficulties achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation
-
Difficulties obtaining or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"SARIs work by inhibiting serotonin reuptake in the brain. They act as antagonists to inhibit a certain serotonin receptor—known as the 5HT2a receptor—and block the function of the serotonin transporter protein, thereby increasing the amount of active serotonin throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Trazodone use also results in some histamine and adrenergic receptor blockade in the brain; nefazodone additionally inhibits norepinephrine reuptake, though less potently than its effects on the serotonergic system."
SOURCES
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
(MAOIs)
MAOIs are an older type of antidepressant that are rarely used nowadays. They can cause potentially serious side effects so should only be prescribed by a specialist doctor.
WHAT THEY TREAT
LIST OF MAOIs
-
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
-
Phenelzine (Nardil)
-
Selegiline (Emsam)
-
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Dry mouth
-
Nausea, diarrhea or constipation
-
Headache
-
Drowsiness
-
Insomnia
-
Dizziness or lightheadedness
-
Skin reaction at the patch site
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Monoamine oxidase inhibitors were the first class of antidepressants developed. (6) Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that removes and breaks down the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine from the brain after they’ve done their job of helping brain cells communicate. MAOIs increase levels of these neurotransmitters by preventing monoamine oxidase from breaking them down."
MOOD STABILIZERS
Lithium
Lithium is treated as a mood stabilizer medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder but sometimes used to treat major depressive disorder and ADHD.
WHAT THEY TREAT
-
Major Depressive Disorder
-
ADHD
LIST OF TYPES OF LITHIUM PRESCIPTIONS
-
Lithium carbonate
-
Lithium citrate
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Nausea
-
Fatigue
-
Weight gain
-
Tremor
-
Diarrhea
-
Confusion
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"At a neuronal level, lithium reduces excitatory (dopamine and glutamate) but increases inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmission; however, these broad effects are underpinned by complex neurotransmitter systems that strive to achieve homeostasis by way of compensatory changes."
Anticonvulsants
Some anticonvulsant medications are used to stabilize mood. You may also hear these drugs referred to as anti-epileptic medication.
WHAT THEY TREAT
-
Central Nervous System (CNS) depression
LIST OF ANTICONVULSANTS
-
Carbamazepine
-
Lamotrigine
-
Valproate
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Nausea
-
Fatigue
-
Weight gain
-
Tremor
-
Diarrhea
-
Confusion
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Altering electrical activity in neurons by affecting ion (sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride) channels in the cell membrane. Altering chemical transmission between neurons by affecting neurotransmitters (GABA, glutamate) in the synapes."
Antipsychotics
Some antipsychotics are used as mood stabilizers as well, as though most often they are used to treat psychotic disorders.
WHAT THEY TREAT
-
Schizoaffective disorder
-
Some types of Bipolar Disorder
-
Severe Major Depressive Disorder
-
Psychotic systems of personality disorders
LIST OF ANTIPSYCHOTICS
-
Clozapine
-
Quetiapine
-
Haloperidol
-
Paliperidone
-
Perphenazine
-
Trifluoperazine
-
Lurasidone
-
Typical Psychotic
-
Atypical Psychotic
-
Olanzapine
-
Aripiprazole
-
Fluphenazine
-
Navane
-
Asenapine
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Nausea
-
Fatigue
-
Weight gain
-
Tremor
-
Diarrhea
-
Confusion
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Most antipsychotic drugs are known to block some of the dopamine receptors in the brain. This reduces the flow of these messages, which can help to reduce your psychotic symptoms."
SOURCES
STIMULANTS
Stimulants are a type of medication most often used in treat ADHD and helping with focus. Stimulants essentially speed up messages traveling between the brain and the body. There are two types: short-acting and long-acting.
SHORT-TERM STIMULANTS
Short-term release medications start working in about 30 to 45 minutes and generally wear off in 3 to 6 hours. There are two types of short-term stimulants: Methylphenidates & Amphetamines.
LIST OF SHORT-TERM STIMULANTS
-
Clozapine
-
Quetiapine
-
Haloperidol
-
Paliperidone
-
Perphenazine
-
Trifluoperazine
-
Lurasidone
WHAT THEY TREAT
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Loss of appetite
-
Trouble sleeping
-
Weight loss
-
Crankiness
-
Tics
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Stimulants work by gradually increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels and activity in the brain."
"Amphetamine goes into the nerve terminal, causing it to release more dopamine, flooding the cytoplasm with dopamine. Methylphenidate also increases dopamine and the cytoplasm, but it does it in a more subtle, indirect way by blocking its reuptake."
SOURCES
LONG-TERM STIMULANTS
Part of the long-term release medications typically go into effect immediately and then gradually release more into the bloodstream throughout the day and generally wear off in 8 to 16 hours.
Just like short term, there are two types of long-term stimulants: Methylphenidates & Amphetamines.
LIST OF LONG-TERM STIMULANTS
-
Adderall®
-
Dexedrine®
-
Concerta®
-
Ritalin®
-
Didrex®
-
Bontril®
-
Preludin®
-
Fastin®
-
Adipex P®
-
Ionomin®
-
Meridia
WHAT THEY TREAT
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Loss of appetite
-
Trouble sleeping
-
Weight loss
-
Crankiness
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Stimulants work by gradually increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels and activity in the brain."
"Amphetamine goes into the nerve terminal, causing it to release more dopamine, flooding the cytoplasm with dopamine. Methylphenidate also increases dopamine and the cytoplasm, but it does it in a more subtle, indirect way by blocking its reuptake."
SOURCES
https://www.additudemag.com/short-acting-stimulants-long-acting-stimulants/
https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-short-long-acting-meds
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Stimulants-2020.pdf
ANTI-ANXIETY
Sometimes, the medications used for mood-stabilization and anti-depressants are also used to treat anxiety, but benzodiazepines are most commonly used for anxiety treatment.
BENZODIAZEPINES
"Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative drug that reduces the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as tense muscles. These drugs also encourage relaxation, and their effects take place quickly." 1
Peak levels usually happen between 1-2 hours after taking these medications.
LIST OF SHORT-TERM STIMULANTS
-
Xanax
-
Librium
-
Valium
-
Ativan
WHAT THEY TREAT
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
-
Blurry vision
-
Fatigue
-
Loss of memory
-
Poor concentration
-
Headaches
HOW DO THEY WORK?
"Benzodiazepines are a group of CNS depressants which induce feelings of calm (anxiolysis), drowsiness and sleep. They act by facilitating the binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA at various GABA receptors throughout the CNS."