ANTIDEPRESSANTS #5

The second group of the commonly used antidepressant is Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs).

MOA: SNRIs bind to pre-synaptic nerve endings and prevent the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, resulting in greater concentrations of both neurotransmitters in the synaptic clefts to increase neuronal activities.

ADR:

• Nausea & Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Constipation
• Increase in blood pressure (at high doses)
• Sexual dysfunction

EX:

• Venlafaxine hydrochloride (Efexor XR*)
• Duloxetine                            (Symbalta*)

TU:

• Depression                                                                             (Venlafaxine & Duloxetine)
• Anxiety                                                                                   (Venlafaxine)
• Socialized anxiety disorder                                                    (Venlafaxine)
• Panic disorder                                                                         (Venlafaxine)
• Diabetic neuropathy                                                               (Duloxetine)
• Moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence in women (Duloxetine)

SP:

• Pregnancy & lactation
• Avoid sudden withdrawal
• Moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment
• History of myocardial infarction
• Close blood pressure and cholestrol serum monitoring