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drugs / antidepressants / other classifications

Various classifications of antidepressants
(Wellbutrin, Zyban, Champix)

Directions

 

Mental health problems ​

  • Symptoms of Depression

  • Adjuvant/stimulant (combined with other antidepressants)

  • Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder

 

Physical health issues

  • Nicotine addiction

  • Sexual problems​

Contraindications

 

Physical health issues ​

  • people with allergies

  • History of seizures

  • Kidney or liver problems: reduced doses and close monitoring. If severe kidney or liver problems: refrain

 

Mental health problems

  • Anorexia and bulimia

  • Severe insomnia

  • History of mania episodes

 

Seniors

Reduced doses

 

Children and teenagers

Use with caution as may activate suicidal thoughts; efficacy and safety have not been demonstrated

 

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Side effects

They depend on the dosage and duration of treatment, the metabolism of the individual and the context in which he lives.

 

Common side effects

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Head

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Dizziness

  • Dry mouth

  • Hustle

  • Tinnitus

  • Confusion

 

Abdomen

  • Nausea

  • Abdominal pain

  • Constipation

 

Weight

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weightloss

 

Sleep

Insomnia

 

Members

Tremors

 

Less common side effects

 

Head

Epileptic seizures

 

Psychological

  • State of mania or hypomania

  • Suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents

  • Anxiety

 

Members

Muscle aches

 

Heart

  • High blood pressure (may be serious)

  • Allergic reactions

 

Abdomen

Diarrhea

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Interactions with drugs and with other substances

 

Mental health problems ​

  • Raises concentrations of tricyclic antidepressants

  • Higher dose of Wellbutrin when prescribed with Tegretol

  • Increases the effect of Haldol

  • With MAOI antidepressants, can be fatal.

  • Stop taking MAOIs for at least 2 weeks

  • With antidepressants, lithium and some antipsychotics (or neuroleptics), may increase risk of seizures

 

physical health problem

Close monitoring if prescribed with warfarin (Coumadin)  because it can cause blood problems

 

​ Others

  • With alcohol, valerian, St. John's wort, kava kava (pear tree), increased central nervous system depressant effects

  • Wellbutrin, Zyban and Champix can increase the effects of alcohol

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Overdose Risks

 

  • Rarely fatal

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Lack of coordination

  • Seizures

  • Heart problems

  • Hallucinations

  • Loss of consciousness

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Withdrawal symptoms

Psychotropic drugs act in the brain just as they do in the rest of the body; and as we have seen, each person reacts differently. It's the same with weaning; the person's metabolism, the type of drug, the dose as well as the duration of the intake and its half-life, explain that the withdrawal effects are varied. We have listed the potential and main withdrawal symptoms of each class of psychotropic drugs. This list is incomplete, as not all withdrawal effects are listed; moreover, knowledge is rapidly evolving in this field. A person may have no withdrawal symptoms or experience one, a few, or even many. The medication reduction journey is specific to each person, just as each process is unique. For example, a person can take the same medicine twice at the same dose and the effects will be different. Gradual reduction, like removing 10  % of dose per week/month, reduces the frequency or intensity of withdrawal symptoms and the incidence of rapid relapses. It is very important to undertake this process with the collaboration of your doctor. The pharmacist also plays a key role and can provide guidance to monitor withdrawal effects for each medication. Most people who will have withdrawal symptoms will tolerate them without problems for the short duration of these symptoms.

 

Common and frequent withdrawal symptoms for all classes: anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, sleep problems, greater need to rest, sleep, irritability, fatigue.

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Withdrawal symptoms for Wellbutrin:

Withdrawal symptoms usually appear one to seven days after a discontinuation or a significant reduction in dose. About 55% of people feel as if they are going through a period of excitement or depression which is accompanied by raw emotions, anxiety, disturbing dreams and lethargy (numbness of being) temporary. These effects disappear within a few days.

 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs (Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Paxil and Celexa), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta and Pristiq) and bupropion share these symptoms of weaning.

 

Main psychological withdrawal symptoms:

  • Anxiety

  • Irritability

  • Hustle

  • Insomnia

  • Nightmares or dreams of intense realism (vivid)

 

Very rarely:

  • Suicidal tendencies or tendencies to want to harm themselves which can appear suddenly at the time of increases or reductions. These symptoms are  often preceded by a period of severe agitation (akathisia).

  • Mania or hypomania

 

Main physical withdrawal symptoms:

(= flu-like effects)

  • Headaches (headaches)

  • sweating

  • Fatigue

  • General malaise

  • Muscle aches

  • Diarrhea

  • Dizziness, vertigo

  • Tremors

  • Numbness or tingling of the extremities

  • Electric shock sensations in the limbs

  • Blurry vision

  • Very rarely:

  • Concentration or memory problems

  • Movement disorders

 

Effexor and Paxil have shorter durations of action than other antidepressants. They can give withdrawal reactions that are more difficult to control from day one. It is therefore even more important to gradually reduce the dose.

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