The dangers of Wellbutrin and other drugs

Posted in pregnancy and wellbutrin on July 4th, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

Wellbutrin Birth Defects baby 300x204 The dangers of Wellbutrin and other drugsI created this website to help consumers really understand the pros and cons of taking a drug like wellbutrin (bupropion).

How many times have you heard an ad that said “contains XYZ always read the label”?

How many times have you read the label and either not understood the real risks or been scared to death by all the potential side effects?

I know that when my daughter was prescribed an anti epilepsy drug I was scared to death, I argued with my husband about it until the seizures came more and more often. She now takes the drug and has regular blood tests so we can monitor the damage being done and the seizures have stopped.

So drugs can be more than a necessary evil, but to me it is about knowing the risks and that is what this site is all about.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) has been found to cause birth defects when taken by people who are pregnant. The birth defects it causes are to do with the heart (more details to follow); this struck a chord with me because my late brother died of this condition.  His death had nothing to do with Wellbutrin but it destroyed my father who was a broken man every day after that death.

There is some vicious irony that someone who might be planning to have a baby starts taking Wellbutrin (bupropion) because they want to give up smoking before conceiving a child, then then fall pregnant and continue taking the drug in the belief that they are helping the child.

So please, if you are planning on stopping smoking because you want to conceive, don’t stop your contraception until you are free of smoking and free of wellbutrin if this is what you are planning on taking.

If you already have a child and you took wellbutrin (bupropion) while you were pregnant then please use the contact us link and I will send you an information pack about what you can do.

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Adhd New Medication: is it Really Better?

Posted in side effects wellbutrin on December 21st, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

It’s unbelievable how many medications there are out there for the treatment of ADHD. Most ADHD medication has a bad rap because it is associated with risky side effects. Many parents wonder if ADHD new medication is better. In order to decide what treatment option is best for your child, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of ADHD medications, both new and old.

The best medication for ADHD is not going to be the same for everyone since each child reacts differently to each drug. Stimulants are the most common type of medication to treat ADHD. The older stimulants were of the short-acting variety and had to be taken a few times a day in order to remain effective throughout the course of the day. The new versions of stimulants are sustained-release drugs. The obvious perk is that your child doesn’t have to take any pills at school and the effects will last all day.

The latest ADHD new medication to come out is Vyavanse. It is a long-acting stimulant similar to Adderall. The only difference it has with the older stimulants is the fact that its effects last for a longer period of time. As for side effects, it is equally as dangerous as stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall. Some side effects associated with taking Vyavanse include diarrhea, shortness of breath, hallucinations, and heart palpitations.

Some parents searching for the best medication for ADHD may consider non-stimulants in order to avoid the harsh side effects that stimulants can have on their child. Non-stimulants that are approved for the treatment of ADHD include Strattera and Wellbutrin. These medications are helpful for children who suffer from anxiety and depression in addition to ADHD but they do not treat all of the symptoms of ADHD so their effectiveness is limited. Furthermore, they also have dangerous side effects.

While you may feel eager to get rid of your child’s ADHD quickly, remember that most ADHD new medication that comes out is really no better than the last. If you want to help your child achieve permanent recovery and not just suppress the symptoms of the illness, you need to treat the problem holistically.

The best medication for ADHD simply doesn’t exist because every child is different. Instead of searching aimlessly for the best medication out there, help your child live a healthier lifestyle. Make sure he gets enough sleep and exercise and feed him a healthy diet. Give him a homeopathic remedy every day to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD without any risk of side effects. If you follow these simple steps, you will see a huge improvement in your child’s behavior and realize that it isn’t always necessary to resort to drugs.

Now that you are armed with this information, weigh your options carefully. Don’t let anyone, even your doctor force you into the decision to give your child drugs. Giving your child drugs can have serious consequences so it’s important to look at the pros and cons of the situation. Many parents see a lot of success with homeopathy and lifestyle change. Why not give it a shot? You have nothing to lose and you may save your child a lot of unnecessary suffering.

Ann Matthews
http://www.articlesbase.com/adhd-articles/adhd-new-medication-is-it-really-better-750044.html

Smoking Reduction Therapy

Posted in bupropion side effects on December 15th, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

Nicotine Nasal Spray: Nicotine is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream through a prescription nasal spray. The spray eliminates cravings and withdrawal symptoms when used. The FDA alerts the user to addictive properties inherent in the nasal spray and does not allow it to be prescribed for longer than 6 months. Side effects include: runny nose, sneezing, throat irritation, coughing, watery eyes and nasal irritation. Nasal spray is not recommended for those with allergies, asthma, nasal polyps or sinus problems. See your doctor for alternatives.

Nicotine inhaler- A prescription method developed in 1998. The inhaler is similar to smoking a cigarette, using a plastic tube that contains a nicotine cartridge. The quitter puffs on the inhaler to administer a nicotine vapor. Recommended dosage: 6-16 cartridges per day for up to 6 months.

Side effects: coughing, throat irritation, upset stomach.

These are the most expensive form of NRT.

The Lozenge- Nicotine lozenges are the newest NRT on the market. The FDA approved an over-the-counter smoking cessation aid in a lozenge called the Commit. The lozenge is available in 2mg and 4mg. As with the gum, the quitter administers as need and cravings surface. The manufacturer recommends a 12 week program, 1 lozenge every 1-2 hours for 6 weeks. Tapering off gradually by using one lozenge every 2-4 hours for week 7 through week 9 and one lozenge every 4-8 hours for the final two weeks.

The Commit manufacturer recommends:

“Stop all tobacco use when beginning therapy with the lozenge.

Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes before using the lozenge. (Some beverages can reduce the effectiveness of the lozenge).

Suck on the lozenge until it dissolves. Do not bite or chew it like a hard candy, and do not swallow it.

Do not use more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours, or more than 20 lozenges total per day.

Stop using the lozenge after 12 weeks. If you still feel you need to use the lozenge, talk to your doctor.

Do not use the lozenge if you continue to smoke, chew tobacco, use snuff or any other product containing nicotine (e.g., nicotine patch or gum).”

Side effects: sleeping problems, nausea, coughing, headache, heartburn, hiccups and flatulence (gas).

Despite the side effects, NRT has been proven to be an effective tool for smokers who decide it is time to quit. No one method is better than any other and the smoker/quitter can decide for themselves which method might help them the most. Is it that you need to replace the oral fixation that smoking provides and will be missed with the cessation of smoking? Is it important not to be reminded of smoking, using a once a day convenience??

Aside from NRT, there are also prescription medications you can ask your doctor about to assist you with quitting smoking. Some are used in conjunction with NRT. Bupropion (Zyban) and Varenicline (Chantix) are the two new prescription medications available. Zyban is an antidepressant and Chantix is specific designed to help you quit smoking. Ask your doctor what is right for you.

Eric Hartwell
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/smoking-reduction-therapy-125457.html

5HTP Benefits

Posted in wellbutrin depression on December 12th, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

The benefits of taking 5HTP supplements range from conquering depression to getting a better night’s sleep. 5HTP might also benefit you by relieving your nasty migraine headaches or easing those persistent carbohydrate cravings that keep your hand glued to the cookie jar. If you have a problem caused, or exacerbated, by low serotonin levels, 5HTP can provide benefits.

To understand the benefits of taking 5HTP, it helps to know a little about how 5HTP works, how it affects serotonin levels, and what that means for your health.

5HTP is the raw material needed by the body to produce serotonin. Just like you need flour to make bread, the body needs 5HTP to produce serotonin. The process the body uses to supply the brain serotonin is quite complex and involves several steps. 5HTP is known by scientists as the “precursor” to serotonin, which means 5HTP turns directly into serotonin under the right conditions.

Serotonin is the end product used by the brain and body to regulate lots of things including: mood, sleep, pain, digestion, and cognition. Generally speaking, low levels of serotonin lead to all kinds of ailments, many of which plague our modern day word. Depressed, anxious? Blame low serotonin. Pacing the floor at night, wired with insomnia? Blame low serotonin levels. Migraines forcing you to crawl into a dark quiet retreat? Blame low serotonin levels.

The benefits of taking 5HTP correlate with the benefits of raising serotonin levels. If your headaches are indeed caused by low serotonin levels, then 5HTP might help you. Keep in mind that lots of things cause migraine headaches, low serotonin is just one factor and your headaches might be due to something else entirely.

Depression is often caused, or exacerbated, by low serotonin levels, but not always. Not all depression will respond to an increase in serotonin, but generally about 80% of depressed people do feel better when their serotonin levels are raised. So the benefits you receive from taking 5HTP will depend on whether low serotonin levels are indeed your problem.

5HTP seems to be one of the best and least risky ways to raise serotonin and receive the associated benefits. Raising serotonin is the objective with a very popular class of modern medicines which are taken by millions of people, the SSRI antidepressant medications. Starting with the cultural phenomenon that followed the release of Prozac in the mid-eighties, SSRI drugs have helped, and in some cases, harmed millions of people.

Taken to combat all sorts of mental disorders and stress, SSRIs drugs include well known prescription drugs like Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, and Elavil. Wellbutrin, Effexor and other medicines used to treat depression are similar but affect other brain chemicals in addition to serotonin. Older medications used to treat depression, known as the tricyclic antidepressants, also affect serotonin levels.

5HTP is the body chemical needed for serotonin production, so often the benefits of taking any of the above pharmaceutical medications can be enhanced by adding 5HTP supplements. This would be the equivalent of giving the baker more flour so she can make extra loaves of bread. Before you do this however, consult with your doctor. This strategy benefits some people, but there are risks involved too.

You can, in effect, “overdose” on serotonin. Serotonin Syndrome is the name for a condition which can come on suddenly and be extremely dangerous. If the serotonin system in the body becomes over stimulated, a person becomes confused and may slip into a hypo-manic, or mildly manic, state. Serotonin Syndrome can also cause a person to feel agitated and loose coordination like they’re drunk. Fortunately, serotonin syndrome is extremely rare and many people have enhanced the benefits of their prescription SSRI regimen by adding 5HTP.

5HTP benefits vary from person to person. Generally speaking, people who need to increase their serotonin levels find 5HTP more beneficial and less harmful than the pharmaceutical treatments used by so many doctors. 5HTP not only can provide more direct benefits with less side effects, 5HTP is cheaper and easier to obtain than a doctor’s prescription. Even with insurance, an SSRI can cost more than 5HTP and certainly for the person who doesn’t have insurance, 5HTP is a bargain indeed.

Lorraine Grula
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/5htp-benefits-90172.html

Medication to Help You Stop Smoking

Posted in bupropion side effects on December 9th, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

There are many different medications, tools and techniques that you can incorporate into your plan to stop smoking. In terms of mainstream medicine, these primarily include nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) in the form of patches, lozenges, nasal sprays and gum. The primary concept behind these products is to provide an alternative to quitting cold turkey and allow individuals to slowly reduce their nicotine intake, thereby decreasing the severity of withdrawal symptoms. At the same time, switching to an alternative source of nicotine helps break the other behavioral habits that are a strong component of any addiction. In this way, you can get used to the changes in your daily routine that will come with giving up cigarettes, without having to deal with the side effects of nicotine withdrawal all at the same time.

Other medications such as Bupropion (Zyban) are also thought to help individuals through nicotine withdrawal, although the processes through which this works are not fully understood. Similar in composition to an antidepressant, this approach may contribute to an emotional calm that makes it easier to resist temptation through lessened agitation and anxiety during withdrawal. These drugs are not appropriate for everyone, and need to be discussed with your doctor in terms of effectiveness and potential side effects.

Traditional, herbal products can also be used to help you quit smoking. Teas, capsules, and patches are all available to assist you in a variety of ways. Herbs can reduce your desire to smoke by making cigarettes taste bad, as well as promote relaxation to help decrease the underlying stress or nervousness that may otherwise compel you to smoke. Herbs can also help cleanse, detoxify and flush out your system, reducing cravings and promoting recovery and improved general health. In some cases herbal products contain ingredients that act as substitutes for nicotine, effectively convincing your body that it is not missing the stimulants it has grown accustomed to. Explore your options in herbal formulations designed specifically for the purpose of stopping smoking to determine if these might be useful as a part of your individualized stop smoking strategy.

Depending on the severity of your addiction, the strength of your desire to change, and your general willpower, you may require more or fewer tools to help you along the way. Quitting smoking is different for everyone, and it is important to enlist as much help as necessary in order for you to achieve your goal. From conventional medicine, to alternative herbal remedies drawing on more ancient healing formulas, there are a number of choices for you to consider. Withdrawal is not easy, but it is temporary, so do not give up. It will not belong before you have made it over the first and most difficult hurdle, and from here on the road to better health will get easier and more straightforward as you go.

Mike Durand
http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/medication-to-help-you-stop-smoking-80894.html

Depression Treatments

Posted in wellbutrin depression on December 7th, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

Depression is a mental disorder that affects a person’s moods. It affects millions of people around the world. People with depression may feel sad, angry, irritable, tired, confused, guilty, hopeless or worthless. When a person is diagnosed with depression, it’s bad news for himself and his family. It’s painful for the person and can also be difficult for the person’s family. Depression if left untreated could get worse. It will affect a person’s ability to function in daily life and work. Worst still, depression even may lead a person to suicide.

A serious disease depression may be, it is treatable. Proper treatment can help people with depression get back to normal daily activities.

Main treatments for depression are antidepressants and psychotherapy. Antidepressants are medicines that help to relieve depression so that a person suffering from depression can function more normally. There are mainly four types of antidepressants:

1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline). These antidepressants help the brain absorb the chemical serotonin.

2. Tricyclics antidepressants (TCAs) – Adapin (doxepin), Anafranil,(clomipramine), Elavil (amitriptyline), Endep (amitriptyline), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Norpramin (desipramine), Pamelor (nortryptyline), Pertofrane (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), Vivactil (protriptyline)

3. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) – Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine)

4. Serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – venlafaxine (tradenames Effexor XR®, Efexor®), nefazodone (tradename Serzone®), milnacipran (tradename Dalcipran®/ Portugal; Ixel®/ France), desipramine (tradenames Norpramine®, Pertofraneis®), duloxetine (tradename Cymbalta®)

In the market, there are also antidepressants that don’t fall in the above categories available such as buproprion (Wellbutrin), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), venlafaxine (Effexor), and mirtazapine (Remeron).

Certain antidepressants cause side effects. In most cases, side effect disappears once a person’s body has adjusted to the medicines. Sometimes people on antidepressants may feel worse before feeling better. It takes time for depression medication to work correctly.

Besides taking medications, psychotherapy or talk therapy can be also of help to depressed individuals. It includes short-term therapy sessions, usually from ten to twenty weeks. Positive results for the depression patients will generally be showing up after one or more sessions of psychotherapy. This type of depression treatment actually helps the individuals by slowly making them open up about their feelings, the root of their problems, most important of all, the root of their depression. Healthy verbal exchanges between the cognitive behavior therapist and the depression patient is great depression treatment that’ll positively affect the depression patients by helping them discuss and talk about whatever they’ve been keeping inside.

Even though either medication or psychotherapy works independently all by itself, many experts feel combination of both medication and psychotherapy can work more effectively to help depressed individuals overcome depression and become mentally healthy.

Forest Sun
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/depression-treatments-92611.html

Dopamine's Serotonin Scan

Posted in side effects wellbutrin on December 5th, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

There are a lot of medications on the market that affect blood flow and metabolism in the brain. Sertraline (Zoloft), for example, affects serotonin and, to a lesser extent, dopamine and acetylcholine. The ability of your brain to maintain adequate levels of serotonin is contingent upon the speed of the reuptake cycle. The faster your brain processes your serotonin the more susceptible you’ll be to depression and anxiety. The mechanism by which Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) work is through the inhibition of the reuptake cycle. This allows the brain’s serotonin to remain in the brain for a longer period of time, which the brain uses to affect mood and a few other things such as appetite and sex drive.

Fluoxetine (Prozac) is in the same family of drugs (SSRIs) but seems to have a greater dopaminergic effect. This could be from an inhibition of the reuptake of dopamine or norepinephrine but could also be its effect on receptors of serotonin subtypes that aren’t as pronounced with Sertraline. It’s almost a mystery why two drugs from the same class can affect a person so differently. As the science becomes more and more clear we will be able to objectively list the brain’s neurotransmitters and all the subtypes. Everyone knows of serotonin as being a relaxing, nourishing chemical but, depending on the serotonin subtype, this transmitter can actually do the opposite. I’ve known some people who had panic attacks and sleepless nights on Prozac but found relief with Paxil or Zoloft.

Drugs such as Wellbutrin affect the dopamine receptors–several subtypes exist here as well. Basically, norepinephrine and dopamine excite a person’s mood and creates similar effects as caffeine. For some people this complements their natural brain chemistry. For others, it can be profoundly uncomfortable and can even make a person more depressed than they were to begin with.

There are a couple of important things to remember in regards to taking an SSRI. It is easy to forget that the way a person feels is being altered by the medication and to forget that this can be changed. Suicidal thoughts are a side effect and should be considered in light of your medication and dosage. In addition, drinking alcohol on some of these drugs make the alcohol not as effective, which may bring the patient to drink way more than their bodies can handle and then deadly overdoses occur. Also, the day of or the day after drinking alcohol will make these drugs less effective and can make a person depressed.

If you want to learn more about SSRIs an excellent book is Listening to Prozac. It’s not one of those anti-drug books written by fanatics. The field of brain chemistry is getting more exciting as researchers discover new aspects about the mood centers of the brain and how we can improve people’s lives and defeat mental health problems. The book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel G. Amen is a great explanation of the different parts of the brain related to mood and motivation.

Please visit www.bonshops.com

Samuel Bryant

Lose Weight With Diet Pills

Posted in bupropion side effects on December 3rd, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

There are no two ways about it. Everybody wants to get slim to look beautiful. That is the new definition of beauty. No matter how attractive your facial features are, you have to be slim to be called beautiful. At the same time it is getting harder and harder to stay in shape mainly because our lifestyle is such that most of us do less physical work and our diet consists of high calorie junk food.
There are many ways people attempt to lose weight. Diets, pills, exercise are just a few of these methods. There are many diet pills that claim to help you get slim faster than the drop of a hat. You should be wary of such products since they can play havoc with your system. A very good example of such a weight loss pill is the Size Zero Pill. This particular pill is perhaps the latest on the weight loss circles but it is in fact, an approved FDA drug for horses and can have serious side effects on your health and can even prove fatal. It is imperative that you choose your weight loss or diet pill after careful assessment regarding its authenticity, side effects and price.

There are some completely natural and organic diet pills available that can help you slim down without any side effects. Moreover, they also help you reduce food cravings and suppress appetite naturally.

Diet pills aim to help overweight people  curb their hunger and therefore lose weight. They are invariably pharmacological substances, though herbal and other natural alternatives exist, too. If diet pills contain pharmacological agents, there is an issue of benefits vs. risks involved. Obviously, grossly obese patients with serious health risks caused by excessive weight do not have many options. However, many of the initially developed diet pills contained amphetamines. Examples of these were Dexedrine and Digoxin. These stimulants can increase heart rates to dangerous levels. Obese persons often have to reduce weight precisely because of existing or developing heart conditions. In this context, diet pills that contain amphetamines or similar stimulants present a definite risk. While they do curb hunger, they also disrupt normal sleep patterns, cause anxiety and are highly addictive. Their uncontrolled use leads to many serious problems. In fact, almost all diet pills work by disrupting some natural physical and even mental functions. This is an important point to remember.

Some active ingredients for diet pills in the recent past were phentermine and fenfluramine. These work by blocking certain metabolic feedback pathways that result in weight gain. Their use in combination apparently yielded considerable success, too. However, medical authorities took fenfluramine and its derivatives off the market when studies revealed that they could lead to heart valve damage. Topiramate and phentermine combinations are currently still in use. So are combinations of bupropion with zonisamide and naltrexone.

People tend to overeat for various reasons, many of which are psychological rather than physical. For this reason, there are pills that reduce excessive appetite because they correct a psychological or even psychiatric disorder. Again, these are not diet pills but do have the desired effect of helping curb appetite in overweight people.

Sandy Klocinski

Five Facts About Depression, Therapy, Treatment And You

Posted in wellbutrin depression on December 1st, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders that is found in people around the globe. Yet despite its universality, it’s frequently misunderstood.

To help you obtain better insight into depression, therapy and you, this article focuses on five facts about the disorder you probably didn’t know.

(As always, if you feel you are severely depressed or potentially suicidal, seek attention at a mental health clinic immediately.)

Fact #1: Depression Can Affect Children as Young as Preschool Age

Depression isn’t just a disorder found among teens and adults. It’s also become more prevalent in children. This reality emphasizes the need for parents to be diligent about addressing any depressive behaviors in their sons or daughters before they become debilitating. Additionally, moms and dads may want to consider long-term therapy treatment for their kids and their entire family to stave off more intense depression or uncover other disorders in addition to the depression.

Fact #2: Around Four Out of Ten People Are Too Embarrassed to Seek Depression Therapy Treatments

Even though depression is a household word, it’s still one that has a stigma attached. Consequently, many depressed individuals abstain from telling their physicians about their depression out of a fear that they’ll be labeled as “crazy”. Ironically, this kind of “hiding” or sheltering of one’s problems can actually create a deeper depression. As always, it’s best to look upon therapy treatment with a healthy attitude, not an uncomfortable one.

Fact #3: The Majority of Depressed People Are Not Engaged in Depression Therapy

Whether because of presumed cost or perceived social humiliation, most depressed men, women and children never seek out depression therapy, even when they have a mental health clinic in their neighborhoods. In fact, even those covered by health insurance will often eschew therapy treatment for their depression. This simply leads to more issues and may be one of the reasons that the suicide rate among depressed persons is high.

Fact #4: Depression is on the Rise around the World

This fact probably comes as no surprise to anyone who has read the latest news. Economies are waffling, families are experiencing stress, companies are closing their doors… this kind of anxiety can be the springboard for depression in those who are predisposed to the disorder. As a result, it may be wise to visit a mental health clinic for a depression evaluation if any major stressors have happened within the past 12 months, such as the loss of a job or the breakup of a marriage or relationship.

Fact #5: While Antidepressants are a Tool to Combat Depression, They are More Effective When Coupled with Depression Therapy

Many individuals erroneously believe that pills such as Prozac, Wellbutrin or Paxil will be cure-alls for their depression. However, without depression therapy, antidepressants can only scratch the surface and may only mask the underlying issues. Thus, therapy treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, couples therapy, individual therapy or another therapy method is always recommended.

Don’t allow depression to take over your life. See a professional at a local mental health clinic today.

For more information, visit TheClinicForEmotionalWellness.

Toan Dinh
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/five-facts-about-depression-therapy-treatment-and-you-1196100.html

Pros and Cons of Taking Medication for Manic Depression

Posted in wellbutrin bupropion on November 29th, 2011 by Sharon – Be the first to comment

Medication is not usually used as a first line of defense against manic depression. Often, the patient has to undergo psychotherapy before the doctor will finally decide if he or she needs to take antidepressants. The reason for this is that the effects of these medications can differ from patient to patient. And these effects can either be beneficial or, sometimes, fatal to patients.

Of course, the medications for manic depression are designed to cure the patient suffering from it. However, since it is a mental illness, it cannot be avoided that other patients would react negatively to the drug while others find the drug relatively helpful.

Manic depression occurs when there is an imbalance with the neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that control the functions of the brain. When there is an imbalance among these neurotransmitters, either mania or depression occurs.

From here, let us discuss the pros and cons of manic depression medications:

At present, there are 4 groups of antidepressants:

1) SSRIs or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
2) MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
3) TCAs or Tricyclic
4) Lithium carbonates

SSRIs are antidepressants that fix the serotonin levels of the brain. Popular SSRIs are sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac) citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro).

There are new SSRIs, the nefazodone (Serzone) and the venlafaxine (Effexor) that work not only to fix the serotonin levels of the brain but also another neurotransmitter, particularly the norepinephrine. Another antidepressant, the bupropion (Wellbutrin), affects dopamine and norepinephrine, more than the serotonin.

MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (phenelzine and tranylcypromine) inhibit the MOI (an enzyme works to break down certain neurotransmitters) at the same time reinstate the normal mood of the patient.

TCAs or Tricyclic antidepressants relieve depression by maintaining the right amount of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Popular tricyclic antidepressants are despiramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine and Trofanil), amitriptyline (Elavil), and nortryptyline (Pamelor)

Lithobid and Eskalith are Lithium carbonates that reduce the excessive activity of the brain.

Other antimanic medications include carbamazepine (Tegretol), divalproex sodium (Depakote), and lithium citrate (Cibalith-S).

All these, of course, are created for the benefit of the patient suffering from manic depression, especially the episodes of depression. However, since they are drugs, the effects may not be as desirable as they have to be; because, there are several patients that experience several side effects in taking these drugs.

Side effects could range from hair loss, motor problems, weight gain, headaches, tremor, diarrhea, anxiety, reduced sexual performance or drive, nausea, to dry mouth depending on what type of medication is given.

The occurrences of these side effects still depend on each patient. Some can claim that they experience at least one of the mentioned side effects while others can experience two or more. It should be noted that these are unavoidable but if the patient thinks that the medication he or she is taking gives more harm than good, the choice to continue now depends on him or her with the advice of his or her doctor.

As a precautionary measure, the patient should consult an expert psychiatrist or a qualified doctor with experience of handling cases of manic depression. Alternatively, ask for other types of treatment that may work more effectively like alternative medicines, psychotherapy, or for the worst cases of manic depression – electroconvulsive therapy.

Matt Oconnor
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/pros-and-cons-of-taking-medication-for-manic-depression-72009.html