health sectionhealth section
Also known as sedatives or tranquilizers, depressant drugs alter the body's functioning by slowing down the central nervous system (CNS), which encompasses the brain and spinal cord. The effects of depressants can be felt throughout the body, making it an advantageous medication for problems ranging from anxiety to sleeping disorders. At abusive amounts, however, depressants can negatively influence the brain and body.
Efudex is the brand name for the drug called fluorouracil. It is used in the intravenous treatment of cancer alone or with other cancer treatments like surgery, radiation or other drugs. It is used to treat breast cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, rectal cancer and pancreatic cancer. The topical form of Efudex is used to treat actinic keratosis, defined as crusty skin areas caused by too much exposure to the sun. If no other treatments can be used for a type of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma, topical Efudex is used instead. Efudex is classified as an antineoplastic…
Depressants are drugs that are commonly prescribed to assist people in sleeping, to relieve stress or promote relaxation. When taken properly, most depressants can produce positive results, but there are some dangerous side effects associated with taking depressants.
There are three basic types of drugs for depression---tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). All types of antidepressants have side effects. These side effects differ from person to person. It is very important that a doctor knows all medications, illegal drugs, herbs or supplements that a depressive patient is taking in order to minimize side effects and bad drug interactions.
If you hear "shock treatment," it may conjure up images of barbaric procedures that turn depressed patients into vegetables or even kill the people the treatment is supposed to help. But electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has come a long way from the days when patients were subjected to high doses of electricity without anesthesia, according to the Mayo Clinic, and ECT is now a preferred treatment for some patients, due in part to minimal side effects with quick-acting results.
Lithium is one of many medications used in the treatment of depression. And while it can be an effective treatment, the potential for side effects is high. Until the right dosage amount is found, patients can experience changes in central nervous system function, as well as kidney function. Regularly scheduled blood level checks are needed to determine proper dosage amounts.
There are four general types of medications that are prescribed for depression. They all effect the levels of at least one or more neurotransmitters in the brain that can change mood. These antidepressants can help alleviate symptoms, but they do not cure the problem. In addition, they have been found to work best when combined with psychotherapy. They seem to help the most for people with very severe depression. The potential usefulness of depression medications, however, must be weighed against their possible side effects.
Lexapro (generic name: escitalopram oxalate) is one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants that belong to the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family. Manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Lexapro in August 2002. Lexapro is generally well tolerated by most people; however, like any other medication, there are a number of potential side effects and adverse reactions that can occur.
There are a number of different medications that are used to treat depression. Antidepressants are grouped into classes according to how they function. There are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). As with all medications, there are a number of side effects attributed.
