According to University Health Services in Berkeley, California, clinical depression affects over 17 million men and women in the United States. People suffering from clinical depression experience feelings of loss and hopelessness, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, and display physical disorders such as difficulty sleeping, headaches and pain. Several medications have been developed to manage and treat clinical depression.
Cymbalta
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an antidepressant developed by Lilly USA. Cymbalta works by increasing the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Serotonin and norepinephrine are chemicals that the cells of the brain use to communicate with each other, called neurotransmitters, which become less active in the brain of someone suffering from depression. Cymbalta is prescribed as a medication to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
Cymbalta is taken once per day, with or without food. The most common side effect of the drug is nausea, but those taking Cymbalta may also experience dry mouth, sleepiness and decreased appetite.
Paxil
Paxil (paroxetine) is an anti-depressent developed by GlaxoSmithKline. It is part of a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In the brains of depressed patients, serotonin-signaling levels are low, and the use of SSRIs prevents reuptake of the neurotransmitter, increasing the level of signaling to relieve depression. Paxil is used to treat major depressive disorder, as well as other mental disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders.
Paxil can be taken as a control-released tablet, which releases the drug throughout the day, or it can be taken as an ingested oral suspension for those that cannot swallow pills. Paxil has a few side effects, which include mood changes, trouble sleeping and mania.
Zoloft
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is a medication developed by Pfizer which is used to treat depression and anxiety in adults. Zoloft is an SSRI which increases the levels of serotonin in the brain to alleviate the symptoms of depression. It is often prescribed for long-term treatment of major depressive disorder.
Zoloft must be taken regularly to regulate levels of serotonin in the brain and prevent the return of depressive symptoms. Patients taking Zoloft may see an improvement in their symptoms within a week of beginning treatment, and patients should expect to stay on medication for at least six months. The most common side effects of the drug are dry mouth, insomnia and sexual side effects.
