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Atypical Antidepressants (18) SSNRIs (20) MAOIs (21) SSRIs (55) SNRIs (2) Tricyclics (28)

Antidepressant Warnings - Should We Be Alarmed?
Discussion of the US Food and Drug Administration's possible plan to expand the "black box warnings" on antidepressant patient inserts to include a warning that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicide in adults. Such a warning is already in place regarding children and teens. Some healthcare professionals feel this would be a tragic mistake.

What is the "Black Box Warning" for Antidepressants?
Text of the black box warning mandated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and list of medications which must carry this warning in their prescribing information.

What is Serotonin Syndrome?
Serotonin Syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that is caused by elevated serotonin concentrations in the body. This condition is brought on by the use of serotonogenic drugs, which include several types of antidepressants such as SSRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs. Other substances which may contribute to serotonin syndrome include cocaine, L-tryptophan, Lithium, amphetamines, ecstasy and LSD.

Antidepressants & Abnormal Bleeding: Is There a Link?
It is widely accepted that a shortage of the neurotransmitter Serotonin is a likely candidate for causing depression. However, many people are not aware that Serotonin plays a role in the clotting of blood. Some researchers are concerned that antidepressants may be interfering with the body’s ability to adequately form blood clots and increase the risk for abnormal bleeding.

Antidepressants for More than Depression
Antidepressant medications are used to treat more than depression. Some antidepressants are used to help you sleep; others treat anxiety; and some can be used to help relieve certain types of pain.

FDA Issues Public Health Advisory for Antidepressants
On March 22, 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory that provides further cautions to physicians, their patients, and families and caregivers of patients about the need to closely monitor both adults and children with depression, especially at the beginning of treatment, or when the doses are changed with either an increase or decrease in the dose.

The Antidepressant Waiting Game
Depression Guide Nancy Schimelpfening goes over the basics of brain chemistry and talks about the major players that affect depression. Has a very nice illustration.

Jaw-Clenching Linked to Anti-Depressants
SSRIs have been found to cause bruxism, which can lead to jaw pain, tooth damage and headaches, but Buspar can be prescribed for relief.

Common Adverse Reactions of Antidepressants
Between the newer selective serotonin inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants and the older tricyclic products there is a trade-off in the spectrum of adverse drug reactions. Systematic reviews of a large number of clinical trials, called meta-analyses, of the SSRIs and tricyclics found similar benefit from the new and older drugs.