Paxil (Paroxetine) is a drug that has been approved since 1992 for the treatment of major depression. It is considered by many to be a highly effective medication for various types of anxiety, specifically: generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, OCD, and panic disorder. Paxil functions as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and is considered …
Trazodone (Desyrel) is a medication that is approved for the treatment of depression. It is classified as an atypical antidepressant that functions as a “SARI” (serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor). In addition to inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, it also blocks excess serotonin at various receptor sites. It is believed that the combined effect of …
Effexor (Venlafaxine) is a common antidepressant medication that is classified as an SNRI. It functions by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. It differs from standard SSRI medications in that it also targets norepinephrine, which often elicits a stimulatory effect on the user. Some believe that increasing norepinephrine in addition to serotonin makes …
Prozac (Fluoxetine) is considered one of the most popular antidepressant medications of all time. It was developed by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and approved for the treatment of major depression in 1987. Many people have had great success taking Prozac to manage depression, OCD, panic attacks, as well as eating disorders. The drug functions …
Zoloft (Sertraline) is an antidepressant medication that has been around since 1991. It functions as an SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) to increase extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The drug is considered effective at treating a variety of conditions including major depression, social anxiety disorder, panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Despite being around since the …
Geodon (Ziprasidone) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that has been approved by the FDA since 2001 to treat schizophrenia. It has also been found effective in addressing manic symptoms among individuals with bipolar disorder. In other cases, it is even used on an off-label basis as an antidepressant augmentation strategy and for various types of …
Seroquel (Quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used primarily for the treatment of schizophrenia and in some cases, bipolar disorder. It is also a relatively popular antidepressant augmentation strategy for individuals who don’t respond to monotherapeutic options. Off-label some doctors prescribe it at low doses for Tourette syndrome, insomnia and anxiety disorders, despite …