Treatment FAQ

what is bset pharmacological treatment for depression

by Jamir Dibbert PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Webmd.com

1. Get in a routine...setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track...

2. Exercise...regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways, cook says...

3. Get enough sleep...

4. Take on responsibilities...

5. Challenge negative thoughts...

6. Check with your doctor before using supplements...

Learn More...

Healthline.com

1. St. johns wort...taking st. johns wort has been linked with increasing the amount of serotonin in the body...

2. Omega-3 fatty acids...its ideal to get a higher ratio of dha to epa, which are both types of omega-3 fatty acids...

3. Saffron...

4. SAM-e...

5. Folate...

6. Zinc...

Learn More...

Top10homeremedies.com

1. St. johns wort...it has chemical constituents like hypericin and hyperforin that work like antidepressants...

2. Cardamom...help detoxify the body and rejuvenate the cells...

3. Nutmeg...helps stimulate your brain, eliminate fatigue and stress...

4. Saffron...

5. Cashews...

6. Fish Oil...

7. Apples...

Learn More...

What are the clinical practice guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of depression?

Clinical practice guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of depression: Recommendations. All CPGs indicated serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as an option for first-line treatment for depression, and the recommendations were based on high-quality studies; however, most CPGs did not cite specific drugs.

What is the focus of treatment for depressive disorders?

Depressive disorders are common, recurrent, and chronic, and require treatment A review of the symptom picture and current drug targets demonstrates the need for accument of depression severity, including suicidaliltial focus of treatment is rapid resolution of: during an acute phase, followed by continuation.

What are the most common medications for depression?

Antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the most commonly used drugs for depression, are usually the first-line treatment, along with talk therapy.

How do I choose the best antidepressant for depression?

Certain drugs are a better choice for specific symptoms and types of depression. For example, an antidepressant that makes you sleepy may be better when insomnia is an issue. The severity of your illness or the presence of anxiety, obsessions, or compulsions may also dictate the choice of one drug over another. Side effects.

What is first line pharmacological treatment for depression?

All CPGs included serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as first-line treatment; however, one CPG also included agomelatine, milnacipran, and mianserin as first-line alternatives. Recommendations for depression subtypes (catatonic, atypical, melancholic) were included in three CPGs.

What is the best form of treatment for depression?

Many experts agree that a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy is the best treatment for severe clinical depression.

What is the most common drug used to treat depression?

SSRIs are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants. They're usually preferred over other antidepressants, as they cause fewer side effects. An overdose is also less likely to be serious. Fluoxetine is probably the best known SSRI (sold under the brand name Prozac).

What are the three treatments for depression?

There are many types of therapy available. Three of the more common methods used in depression treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Often, a blended approach is used.

What is the latest treatment for depression?

On March 5, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first new medication for major depression in decades. The drug is a nasal spray called esketamine, derived from ketamine—an anesthetic that has made waves for its surprising antidepressant effect.

What are the best antidepressants for depression?

The five well-known, FDA-approved SSRIs to treat depression are:Citalopram (Celexa)Escitalopram (Lexapro)Fluoxetine (Prozac)Paroxetine (Paxil)Sertraline (Zoloft)

What are the top 3 antidepressants?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed type of antidepressant and include: Fluoxetine. Citalopram. Sertraline.

What are the 3 types of antidepressants?

Each type (class) of antidepressant affects these neurotransmitters in slightly different ways....Types of antidepressantsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). ... Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). ... Atypical antidepressants.More items...

What are the names of medication for depression?

When treating depression, several drugs are available. Some of the most commonly used include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine HRI (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

What are the 6 types of depression?

6 Different Types of Depression: Major, Minor, Manic & MoreMajor Depressive Disorder. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder in which a person experiences most of the following symptoms for more than two weeks: ... Dysthymia. ... Bipolar Disorder. ... Psychotic Depression. ... Postpartum Depression. ... Seasonal Affective Disorder.

What is the difference between antidepressant and antipsychotic?

Antidepressants in general aim to increase monoaminergic neurotransmission by blocking monoamine reuptake, while antipsychotics mostly aim to reduce mesolimbic dopaminergic neurotransmission by blocking receptors including D2 and 5-HT2A receptors (1).

Is serotonin an SSRI?

SSRIs treat depression by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that carry signals between brain nerve cells (neurons). SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons.

What is the FDA approved for depression?

There is no paucity of medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a depression indication. One of the two initial classes was the tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs), a family of structurally related compounds with reuptake inhibitory properties on brain monoamine metabolism. All the TCAs are potent blockers of NE reuptake (except for clomipramine which highly serotonergic, but is approved by the FDA only for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder) and weak blockers of 5-HT reuptake. The second original class of drugs, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), have never been widely prescribed because of real (and sometimes exaggerated) concerns about safety, despite their established efficacy in certain subtypes, especially atypical and bipolar depression.24,25

What are the neurobiological systems involved in depression?

It has been assumed that the neurobiological systems involved in the pathogenesis of depression are primarily the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems. Considerable research has been directed toward uncovering specific defects in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]), norepinephrine (NE), and to a lesser extent dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter systems. The blockade of neurotransmitter receptors or transporters by antidepressant drugs occurs at the level of the neuronal synapse. This capacity to produce acute increases in synaptic levels of monoamines (Table II)7has been long considered responsible for both therapeutic and adverse effects of antidepressants. However, recent advances in the neuroscience of mood regulation have pointed to the involvement of additional neurotransmitter systems and to the influence of several neuroendocrine axes; however, these discoveries have not yet led to approved treatments for depression, nor have they fundamentally changed our basic understanding of depression. Further developments in the drug treatment of depression are being actively pursued. Medications currently under testing programs include dual reuptake inhibitors, novel dopamine reuptake inhibitors, drugs combining 5-HT reuptake inhibition with 5-HT2/5-HT3receptor antagonism, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists, substance P (neurokinin) receptor antagonists, melatonergic agonists, and compounds modulating glutamatergic neurotransmission. Other novel treatment strategies are also in the pipeline.8Most recently, attention has moved from intrasynaptic changes in neurotransmitter levels to changes in intracellular signaling pathways.9In an important review, Manji and colleagues9raise the possibility that depression may be associated with impairments in signaling pathways that are considered important for the regulation of neuroplasm ticity and cell survival. The heuristic value of such an approach, as highlighted in (Figure 1), points to the wide-ranging possibilities of understanding the mechanisms of action of currently available medications, but raise the possibilities of new targets for future drug development. Furthermore, the review proposes roles for chronic stress. In turn, McEwen's concept of “allostatic load” may be incorporated into how recurrent depression leads to structural and functional central nervous system (CNS) impairment.10

What is the minimum improvement required for a medication change?

Anything less than 75% improvement or full response may require a medication change

What is the cardinal feature of depression?

The cardinal feature of major depression Is persistent depressed mood or pervasive loss of Interest or pleasure for a minimum of 2 weeks, accompanied by a series of somatic and cognitive changes (Table I). In assessing the core components of depression, it is important to note that the psychological and biological symptoms are accompanied by negative thought content, cognitive dysfunction, and suicidal ideation. These components follow the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)nosology for mood disorders, but recently there has been considerable interest in assessing not only current symptoms, but also “softer” or spectrum features, which may present lifetime signs of particular mood or mood-related spectra.3,4In fact, such persistent features may relate to levels of functional impairment during episodes of depression more directly than current symptoms. Such assessment strategies raise the need for assessment of dimensional approaches to diagnosis, as well as the measurement of traditional categorical distinctions.5Women are at twice the risk of men. Depression can and often does co-occur with another psychiatric condition or with a medical disease. Depression is a life-threatening illness for both men and women since suicide is estimated to be the cause of death in up to 6% of individuals with clinical depression. 6

Is methylphenldate safe for depressed people?

Therapeutic Interest In psychostimulants has led to studies suggesting that methylphenldate Is generally well tolerated and modestly efficacious for medically burdened depressed elders, but should only be used in the short term.30It Is also appropriate to comment on the current status of herbal remedies for depression that currently fall outside the FDA guidelines. Although there are a number of reports pointing to the efficacy of Hypericum perforatum(Saint John's wort) for major depression,31,32two US trials comparing Hypericumwith an SSRI and placebo have not supported this claim.33,35

Is depression a chronic disease?

Depressive disorders are common, recurrent, chronic, and require treatment. Major depressive disorder can occur across the entire life cycle and Is the most common of the severe psychiatric Illnesses. In the USA, the lifetime prevalence was 16.2% (32.6-35.1 million adults) and the 12-month prevalence was 6.6% (13.1-14.2 million adults) In a recent survey.1According to the World Health Organization's Global Burden of Disease Report,2major depression was the fourth leading cause of disease burden worldwide In 1990. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, major depression will become the second leading cause of worldwide disease burden, surpassed only by Ischemic heart disease. In this review, we will focus on major depressive disorder, although we will also briefly discuss bipolar depression.

Do antidepressants have any adverse effects?

While adverse effects are reported with all antidepressant compounds, most are transient and no major adverse effects have been reported after long-term use. In general, the TCAs are distinguished by anticholinergic and antihlstamlc effects (Table V).36,41Drug Interaction with TCAs and other medications affecting the hepatic enzyme (CYP 2D6) can lead to significantly altered TCA plasma levels. MAOIs are used sparingly, partly because of concern with hypertensive crises, as well as their interaction with other prescribed medications and beer, red wine, and foodstuffs rich in the amino acid tyramine, such as aged cheese and liver. Clinical experiences in the last 15 years have shown that the SSRIs are relatively safe, but their adverse effect profile may not be the same across the entire class. While the efficacy and adverse effect profile should be considered in selecting among the SSRIs, in usual practice these drugs do not differ dramatically in efficacy from each other or from the older classes of antidepressants. The adverse effects that most frequently influence patients' decisions to discontinue treatment are sexual dysfunction and weight gain. In inpatient settings, TCAs are still often used as first-line treatment. Not all SSRI (eg, citalopram and sertraline) have a high degree of drug-drug interaction via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. While nausea, sedation, appetite change, and sexual dysfunction seem approximately similar for the SSRI class, claims for reduced adverse effects on sexual functioning have been made for fluvoxamine (only approved by the FDA for obsessive-compulsive disorder),42as have claims for reduced discontinuation effects for fluoxetine.43Finally, the high degree of comorbidity of depression and cigarette consumption needs to be fully understood. Tobacco smoking can induce CYP enzyme changes affecting blood levels of various antidepressants, as well as complicate drug management when smoking cessation occurs.44

What is the first line of treatment for depression?

All CPGs indicated serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as an option for first-line treatment for depression, and the recommendations were based on high-quality studies; however, most CPGs did not cite specific drugs. Mirtazapine was considered as first-line treatment by four CPGs [ 22, 24 – 26 ]. The tricyclic amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline, and mirtazapine were considered first-line drugs by the Colombian CPG—amitriptyline for patients without contraindications and the others for patients with contraindications to tricyclics. The recommendations were based on pharmacoeconomic studies. Sertraline and mirtazapine were considered owing to cost per quality-adjusted life years [ 22 ]. The CANMAT CPG recommended agomelatine, mianserin, and milnacipran as first-line treatment [ 25 ]. More details are available in S1 Table.

What is the response rate for depression?

The initial pharmacological treatment for depression had a response rate ranging from 40–60% [ 45 ], and only around 30% achieved remission [ 45, 46 ]. Consequently, recommendations to non-responders should be an essential part of any CPG. In fact, all the present CPG recommendations addressed first-line therapy and non-responders. Adjustment of the dosage with strong evidence was a consensus among the CPGs.

How does depression affect the world?

Depression affects over 300 million individuals worldwide and is responsible for most of the 800,000 annual suicides. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for treatment of depression, founded on scientific evidence, are essential to improve patient care. However, economic and sociocultural factors may influence CPG elaboration, potentially leading to divergences in their recommendations. Consequently, we analyzed pharmacological recommendations for the treatment of depression from the most relevant CPGs. We included four CPGs with scores ≥ 80% for Domain 3 (rigor of development) on the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation and two other commonly used CPGs. The recommendations, their strengths, and the level of evidence were extracted from each CPG by two independent researchers and grouped as follows: (1) general recommendations for the pharmacological treatment for depression (suicide risk, acute treatment, continuation and maintenance phases, and treatment discontinuation); (2) treatment of non-responsive or partially responsive patients; and (3) treatment for subtypes of depression (chronic, psychotic, catatonic, melancholic, seasonal, somatic, mixed, and atypical). Only 50% of CPGs included recommendations for the risk of suicide associated with pharmacotherapy. All CPGs included serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as first-line treatment; however, one CPG also included agomelatine, milnacipran, and mianserin as first-line alternatives. Recommendations for depression subtypes (catatonic, atypical, melancholic) were included in three CPGs. The strength of recommendation and level of evidence clearly differed among CPGs, especially regarding treatment augmentation strategies. We conclude that, although CPGs converged in some recommendations (e.g., SSRIs as first-line treatment), they diverged in cardinal topics including the absence of recommendations regarding the risk of suicide associated with pharmacotherapy. Consequently, the recommendations listed in a specific CPG should be followed with caution.

Why should CPGs be developed?

CPGs should ensure that potential biases are properly approached during the development process and established recommendations have the viability to be implemented [ 8 ]. The development process of original high-quality CPGs demands time, resources, and an experienced team [ 9 ]. Scarcity of resources, particularly in developing countries, restricts the development of CPGs, potentially compromising their quality and validity [ 9 ]. Additionally, potential biases might result from cultural issues, even in developed countries. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of CPG publications, and problems concerning their quality have been highlighted in various studies [ 10 – 12 ].

What are the recommendations of CPGs?

All CPGs included recommendations for the treatment of those who did not respond or partially responded to first-line therapy . Such recommendations are synthesized in Table 3 and details are presented in S2 Table. Almost all recommendations were considered strong regarding the adjustment of drug dosages when there was a lack of response to the initial pharmacological treatment. Moreover, antipsychotic agents were recommended as an augmentation strategy by five CPGs.

Can benzodiazepines treat catatonic depression?

No high-quality CPG mentioned the treatment of catatonic depression. On the other hand, the most employed guidelines in clinical practice—CANMAT and APA CPG—recommended using benzodiazepines for the treatment of catatonic depression; however, they disagreed on the classification of the quality of the evidence [ 25, 26 ]. Moreover, depression with atypical characteristics was considered in the CPGs most used in clinical practice and in the ICSI CPG [ 24 – 26 ]. Depression with melancholic characteristics was contemplated only in the CPGs most used in clinical practice [ 25, 26 ]. Seasonal, with somatic symptoms, and mixed depression disorders were only addressed in the CANMAT CPG [ 25 ]. More details are shown in S3 Table.

Is pharmacological treatment for depression considered a strategy?

First, it should be noted that pharmacological treatment of depression is one of the strategies that should be considered to ensure adequate patient care. Pharmacotherapy should be prescribed only after a careful evaluation of the patient, including risk of suicide, requirement of hospitalization, indication of psychotherapy, and existence of comorbidities among other clinical and psychosocial aspects.

How to help depression?

But in addition to professional treatment, these self-care steps can help: Stick to your treatment plan. Don't skip psychotherapy sessions or appointments. Even if you're feeling well, don't skip your medications.

What tests can a doctor do for depression?

Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health. In some cases, depression may be linked to an underlying physical health problem. Lab tests. For example, your doctor may do a blood test called a complete blood count or test your thyroid to make sure it's functioning properly. Psychiatric evaluation.

Why do people use ECT?

ECT is usually used for people who don't get better with medications, can't take antidepressants for health reasons or are at high risk of suicide.

What is the term for depression that begins a week before your period?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This involves depression symptoms associated with hormone changes that begin a week before and improve within a few days after the onset of your period, and are minimal or gone after completion of your period. Other depression disorders.

How to deal with depression and change behaviors?

Identify negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. Explore relationships and experiences, and develop positive interactions with others. Find better ways to cope and solve problems. Identify issues that contribute to your depression and change behaviors that make it worse.

Why do people need hospitalization for depression?

This may be necessary if you can't care for yourself properly or when you're in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else. Psychiatric treatment at a hospital can help keep you calm and safe until your mood improves.

Can you go to the hospital for depression?

However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. If you have severe depression, you may need a hospital stay, or you may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until your symptoms improve.

What is the most common treatment for depression?

An estimated 17% of Americans will experience depression at some point in their lives. Antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SS RIs), the most commonly used drugs for depression, are usually the first-line treatment, along with talk therapy.

What is the goal of CBT?

A main goal of CBT is to help patients change negative behaviors and ways of thinking that are linked to depression. Tevin Blackwell often thought the worst when things didn’t go his way. If a friend didn’t return his call, for example, he would automatically focus on thoughts like, “No one likes me.” With CBT, he has learned to think more rationally and remind himself that there are lots of reasons someone might not return a call, and that it doesn’t mean people don’t like him.

What is ECT therapy?

5. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is a moderately invasive approach in which patients are given a shock (hence the term “shock therapy” that ECT was known as in the past), resulting in a seizure while under anesthesia. “Although this looks scary and has been given a negative stigma due to memory problems – usually temporary – that it can induce, this treatment is effective for severe cases,” says Dr. Oathes. “Benefits include possible dramatic symptom relief in six to 12 sessions.”

How effective is ECT?

By some estimates, ECT is effective for 64–87% of patients with severe major depression. Since ECT was first invented in the 1930s, it has become much more refined and safer. For example, less electricity is now used during the procedure.

Does psychotherapy work as well as antidepressants?

Psychotherapy teaches patients new skills that can help them take control of their symptoms and manage stress better, and research suggests that it works as well as antidepressant medication and may benefit patients for a longer period of time after treatment ends.

Can antidepressants help with depression?

While antidepressants have certainly helped many people manage their symptoms, the poor response rate makes it clear that alternatives are needed. But first things first: Before trying to figure out what kind of treatment to opt for, make sure you’re covering your self-care basics, including regular exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition as all three of these can have an influence on depression.

Does acupuncture help with depression?

But there appear to be fewer side effects with acupuncture than with antidepressant medications.

When to use tricyclic antidepressants?

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are appropriate as a second-line treatment if there has been an unsatisfactory response to an SSRI. They can also be considered in those who have previously responded to a TCA.

What is Venlafaxine used for?

Venlafaxine is a SNRI (serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) and is subsidised by PHARMAC for treating depression that has failed to respond to adequate trials of two other antidepressants.

Is citalopram a weak inhibitor?

11 Citalopram is a relatively weak inhibitor of CYP2D6 compared with the other SSRIs, and thus it interacts with a more limited range of drugs than fluoxetine and paroxetine.

Do you have to switch to another antidepressant?

Some patients do not respond to the first antidepressant prescribed and need to be changed to another drug. There are no hard and fast rules to guide which drug to switch to. Similar factors that governed the initial drug choice may be relevant and there may be some logic in trying a drug from a different class. However, a response or better tolerability is often seen by changing to another drug from the same class, (e.g. switching from fluoxetine to citalopram). This may be explained by subtle differences in pharmacology or differences in drug metabolism and genetic polymorphism.

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