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CLASS & DRUGS
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TRADE NAME
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POSSIBLE EFFECTS
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CAUTIONS
|
| SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) |
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|
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Citalopram
Fluoxetine
Paroxetine
Nefazodone |
CIPRAMIL
CELEPRAM
ARROW
PROZAC
FLUOX
PLINZENE
AROPAX
PAXAM
SERZONE |
All SSRIs have some of the following side effects:
nausea, diarrhoea, agitation, dry mouth, weight changes.
For most antidepressants, a doctor’s advice should
be followed if other serious illnesses are present. |
Antidepressants may take at least 10-14 days to start to work.
A few temporary side effects may occur. If these don’t go away, your doctor may want to change the dosage or change to another drug which suits you better. |
| Tricyclic |
|
|
|
|
Nortriptyline
Amitriptyline
Clomipramine
Dothiepin
Imipramine
Desipramine
Trimipramine
|
NORPRESS
AMITRIP
ANAFRANIL
PROTHIADEN
IMIPRAMIN
PERTOFRAN
SURMONTIL
TRIPRESS |
All tricyclic drugs have the following effects to a varying degree: drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision.
Much less common side effects are skin rashes, weight gain, gastric disorder, hypertension, fast pulse rates, confusion, seizures. |
All antidepressants come with the recommendation that you avoid alcohol and take care with using machinery and driving vehicles. |
| MAOI (Monamine Oxidase Inhibitor) |
|
|
|
Phenelzine
Tranylcypromine |
NARDIL
PARNATE |
MAOIs may cause some or all of the following: dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea, headache, dry mouth, fatigue, postural low blood pressure. |
Serious reaction possible if taken with tyramine-rich foods. Do not take without understanding the caution card from your GP or pharmacist. |
Foods to be avoided when taking MAOIS
Hard cheese (even Edam or mild Cheddar); meat and fish which are more than 24 hours old; leftovers or meat stored longer than 24 hours including game; salami and dried meat; soy sauce and fermented soy products such as Miso; Tofu; tap beer and home-brewed beer; yeast extracts such as Marmite, Vegemite and Bovril.
MAOI drugs can interact with tyramine in these foods and in other medicines causing dangerously high blood pressure. Tell your pharmacist if you are buying over-the-counter medication like cold remedies, hay fever pills, diet pills or herbal supplements or your dentist before having a local anaesthetic.
| Reversible Monamine Oxidase Inhibitor |
|
|
|
| Moclobemide |
AURORIX
APO-MOCLOBEMIDE |
Transient effects are anxiety, blurred vision, dry mouth, diarrhoea, constipation, dizziness, nausea, headaches. |
Caution is needed with some drugs: cimetidine, clomipramine, pethidine, selequiline, and dextromorphan.
Avoid alcohol. Take care with driving and machinery.
|
Dietary requirements are not as strict as with MAOIs but you should still avoid eating large quantities of tyramine-rich food.
PLEASE NOTE:
THE DRUG INFORMATION ON THIS AND THE PREVIOUS PAGES IS A GUIDE ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ON ALL DRUGS. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.
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Antidepressants