Brintellix (Vortioxetine) is an atypical antidepressant manufactured by Lundbeck and Takeda. It was approved by the FDA in 2013 for the treatment of major depressive disorder, but failed to meet clinical trial endpoints for the treatment of anxiety disorder. The drug is sometimes classified as a serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS) in that it predominantly …
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is an antidepressant that is hypothesized to function as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). It is believed to predominantly increase levels of norepinephrine and only affects dopamine to a minor extent. As a result of its noradrenergic mechanism of action, it is considered “atypical” when compared to other serotonergic antidepressants. Unlike serotonergic antidepressants, Wellbutrin has a …
Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) is an SNRI antidepressant developed by Wyeth as an improved successor to the older drug Effexor (Venlafaxine). Pristiq is engineered to contain solely the pharmacologically active metabolite of Venlafaxine known as “O-desmethylvenlafaxine” in a synthetic format dubbed “desvenlafaxine.” The drug was approved by the FDA in 2008 for the treatment of major depression …
Trazodone (brand name “Desyrel”) is a medication originally approved by the FDA in 1981 for the treatment of anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. It is also commonly utilized as a sleep-inducing agent in cases of insomnia, as well as an off-label option for conditions such as: alcohol withdrawal, bulimia nervosa, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, OCD, panic …
It’s no secret that many people derive therapeutic benefit from the serotonergic antidepressant Escitalopram, marketed under the brand name “Lexapro.” However some Lexapro users have become increasingly frustrated with its side effect profile. One side effect in particular that is often reported by users, yet infrequently reported by its manufacturer (Forest Laboratories) – is that …
Prozac (Fluoxetine) is a drug that was synthesized by Eli Lilly in the 1970s and approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression in 1987. Many regard Prozac as being the single most popular antidepressant medication of all time. As a result of its popularity, when a layman of the general public discusses antidepressants, …
Effexor (Venlafaxine) is a SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) medication prescribed primarily for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It was initially introduced to the market by Wyeth in 1993 when it became the first dual-reuptake inhibitor to attain FDA approval for depression. It differed from the SSRIs in that in addition to solely inhibiting reuptake …