Tag Archive

What Are Nutraceuticals? Nutraceuticals are foods or food-derived products taken for medical or health benefits. They are purported to help prevent or treat diseases and promote overall health.1,2 There are many forms of nutraceuticals available on the market today. Some of the most well-known are:1 Ginseng. Echinacea. Green tea. Fish oils. Omega-3 fatty acids. Glucosamine. […]

What Are SARIs? Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) are antidepressant medications approved for use in treating major depressive disorder. However, they are used off-label for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. In fact, trazodone—perhaps the most commonly used SARI—is rarely used as the primary line of treatment for depression, and is more likely to […]

What Are Tetracyclics? Tetracyclic antidepressants are used to treat major depressive disorder with symptoms such as depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness, nervousness, trouble sleeping, loss of pleasure, low energy, and suicidal thoughts.1,2 They have become less commonly prescribed, however, with the development of newer drugs. In fact, they are no longer considered a first-line treatment […]

What Are SSRIs? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are medications that are commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, and several other mental health issues. They are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant and are likely to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressant medications.1 SSRIs are used in the treatment of other mental health problems as […]

What Are NDRIs? NDRIs block the transport of norepinephrine and dopamine back into the brain cells that released them. In turn, a greater number of active neurotransmitters remains available in the brain, which may over time lead to changes that help relieve the symptoms of depression.1 Norepinephrine is thought to play a role in the […]

What Are MAOIs? Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are a class of drugs primarily used as antidepressants. Their use has waned over the last several decades due to the availability of other medications for depression, their side effects, and their interactions with food and drugs (which may require a special diet by those who take them).1 However, […]

How Do These Drugs Work? SNRIs work by blocking the reabsorption (or reuptake) of serotonin and norepinephrine back into the nerve cells that released them, which increases the levels of active neurotransmitters in the brain.6 Both of these neurotransmitters are associated with distinct brain structures and functions and impact various processes such as mood and […]

What Are Tricyclic Antidepressants? Tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs, were first used to manage major depression. They are believed to block the reuptake of the monoamine neurotransmitters—including serotonin and norepinephrine. The resulting increase in activity of these neurotransmitters in the brain is associated with an improvement in certain symptoms of depression. 1,2 Uses of Tricyclic Antidepressants […]

Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance […]

Antidepressants are a class of medications used to manage several mental health issues, and are the quintessential class of pharmacotherapeutic agents prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Depression is the most common mood disorder in the United States, with a prevalence rate of 14.4%. It affects millions of Americans every year and is […]