MentalHealthDaily

Antidepressant Use in Pakistan (2026): SSRI Prescribing Patterns and Patient-Reported Side Effects

by GLOOM

Photoreal illustration of a pharmacist counseling patient on antidepressant medication, conveying global pharmacovigilance.

Most antidepressant pharmacovigilance data come from high-income countries, leaving prescribing patterns and adverse-effect profiles in low- and middle-income countries underdocumented. A 2026 cross-sectional study by Riaz and colleagues describes antidepressant use in Pakistan, with patient-reported adverse effects mapped against prescription patterns.1 Research Highlights Antidepressant use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has grown substantially but …

At-Home tDCS Trial (HomeDC) Prematurely Terminated Due to Skin Lesions & Safety Concerns (2023 Study)

by GLOOM

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is emerging as a promising home-based treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), offering a non-invasive, cost-effective, and scalable option for patients. This treatment modulates cortical excitability, potentially altering neuronal activity in the brain areas associated with depression. However, a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT), the HomeDC trial, aimed at investigating …

Nortriptyline-Induced “Room Tilt Illusion”: A Rare Adverse Event of Antidepressants (2024 Case Report)

by GLOOM

Room Tilt Illusion (RTI) presents a perplexing challenge to both patients and physicians, transforming the familiar into the surreal as surroundings appear rotated or flipped. This rare condition, often linked to neurological or vestibular disorders, has recently been observed as an adverse effect of the antidepressant nortriptyline, used in treatment-resistant depression. A case report highlights …

Lactofem Probiotic as Adjunct to SSRI Antidepressants May Enhance Mood & Sexual Satisfaction in Women (2024 Study)

by GLOOM

The link between mental health and sexual function is complex and multifaceted, with depressive disorders particularly affecting individuals’ sexual satisfaction and functionality. Recent research has highlighted the potential benefits of probiotics in mitigating these impacts, especially among women undergoing treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). A new study conducted in Iran provides promising evidence …

Zuranolone for Depression: Rapid Efficacy & Safety in Clinical Trials (2023 Review)

by GLOOM

Zuranolone, a novel antidepressant, shows promise in treating depression, as evidenced by a recent meta-analysis. A new study investigated zuranolone’s efficacy and safety, focusing on short-term rapid antidepressant effects. Highlights: Zuranolone Effectiveness: Demonstrated significant improvement in depression severity scores compared to placebo, with notable effects by day 15. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs): Increased incidence in …

Comparison of Brexipiprazole vs. Aripiprazole for Treatment-Resistant Depression (2024 Study)

by GLOOM

Antidepressant-resistant major depressive disorder (AR-MDD) poses significant challenges in psychiatric treatment. Antipsychotics like aripiprazole (ARI) and brexpiprazole (BRE) have emerged as effective adjunct therapies that may be more tolerable than older antipsychotics. Highlights: Both Brexipiprazole and Aripiprazole demonstrated better efficacy than placebo in treating AR-MDD in Japanese patients. Brexipiprazole showed a higher discontinuation rate due …

Pantoprazole (Protonix) vs. Omeprazole (Prilosec)

by GLOOM

Pantoprazole and Omeprazole are medications classified as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and are commonly prescribed for the management of medical conditions in which stomach acid reduction is of therapeutic benefit. Chemists at Byk Gulden, a subsidiary of Altana (a German chemical company), are credited with the synthesis of pantoprazole in 1985 – whereas Swedish chemists at …