Upon discontinuing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication like Prozac, you may experience a condition called SSRI discontinuation or withdrawal syndrome. SSRI withdrawal syndrome is usually characterized by a temporary return...
The antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) targets serotonin functioning in the brain that is sometimes responsible for causing depression, panic, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Prozac is in a class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin...
Prozac is a brand name prescription drug containing the active ingredient fluoxetine hydrochloride. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of depression, panic disorder, bulimia and obsessive-compulsive disorder,...
Sertraline is an antidepressant from the drug class selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Sertraline relieves the symptoms of depression by increasing the levels of the chemical messenger serotonin in the brain. It additionally is...
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a popular form of medication that is prescribed to treat the symptoms of depression. The Mayo Clinic points out that SSRIs may be made with different ingredients, but most work in the same...
Characterized by long periods of low mood, clinical depression prevents the person who suffers from it from taking pleasure in usually pleasurable activities including socializing, eating and sex. When depression occurs with anxiety disorder,...
Prozac and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications frequently cause withdrawal symptoms due to their short half-life. Prozac (fluoxetine) withdrawal symptoms may begin within eight hours of stopping the medication and can...
Cymbalta, also known as duloxetine, is manufactured by Lilly Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of major depression. This is different from short periods of feeling blue, sad or miserable. True clinical depression involves feelings of sadness, loss...
Antidepressants work by affecting neurotransmitters that are used in the brain to communicate between neurons. Serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine are some of the neurotransmitters that have a strong effect on mood. Antidepressants can be...
Serotonin is an important chemical of the nervous system that helps regulate moods in humans. Many antidepressant medications work by increasing the amount of serotonin circulating in the brain. Serotonin withdrawal syndrome occurs when...
Lexapro, the brand name of a prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI is used to treat depression and anxiety. Lexapro, like any SSRI medication, can cause serious withdrawal effects when discontinuing the medication too...
Cymbalta is an antidepressant medication classified as an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), which means it increases levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Cymbalta is a Class C drug for use in pregnancy, which means that...
Prozac (fluoxetine) is an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, commonly referred to as a SSRI. Prozac effects serotonin within the brain, a chemical that when unbalanced can lead to depression, panic, anxiety, or...
Many women who take antidepressants for depression are concerned when they become pregnant, and rightfully so. Taking antidepressants during pregnancy may cause risks to the baby, but so does stopping the antidepressants. This situation is one...
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIAAA, reports that one in 13 adults in America---nearly 14 million people---either abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. Several million more drink in a way that puts them at risk for...
Celexa, the brand name for citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, is prescribed for treating depression. Celexa may improve mood and energy level by "restoring the balance of certain natural substances---neurotransmitters...
Anxiety is a reaction to stress characterized by feelings of uneasiness, fear, worry and apprehension. Anxiety manifests physically as heart palpitations, fatigue, chest pain, nausea and shortness of breath. Symptoms of anxiety range from mild to...
A woman undergoes more changes in less time during pregnancy than during any other time in her life. For some women, this means nine months of excitement and elation. For other women, it means nine months of dread and discomfort. And still for...
Ongoing anxiousness that interferes with daily activities can be caused by a mental condition called generalized anxiety disorder, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Signs and symptoms of the disorder include constant worry about big and small...
Melatonin is the hormone responsible for regulating our circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. Its production is affected by the availability of light. More melatonin is produced at night when it is dark and its production is reduced during the...
Depression medications reduce the symptoms of depression disorders including major depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder and dsythmia. Medications have been shown at times to be equally effective as psychotherapy and their use...
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Sometimes the amount and frequency of anxiety requires medication to treat the symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to lead a normal life. The symptoms and type of anxiety one suffers from informs...
An antidepressant is the generic term for several classes of drugs used to treat various mood disorders--most commonly depression. Antidepressants do not have dependency risks, and second- and third-generation drugs have fewer side effects than...