Comments on: New Antidepressant Guidelines: All Work the Same, But Some Pricier Than Others

By: Jonny_Doctor_

Jonny_Doctor_ — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:56:52 +0000

Modern pharmacology in treatment of depression
and borderlines: Antidepressants Valdoxan Agomelatine
Zoloft Koaksil Coaxil drug abuse Lerivon side effects
Tianeptine Coaxil Paroxetine Paxil Seroxat Amitriptyline
Elavil, Endep Venlafaxine Cymbalta Duloxetine Ixel
Milnacipran Lerivon Mianserin

http://home-psychiatrist.blogspot.com/

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:41:29 +0000

I am on Cymbalta, an SNRI, 90 mgs daily. Were SNRI’s included in this study or only SSRI’s? And picking up on Tim’s comment, my insurance copy has sent me letters almost calling my phsyciarist an idiot for having me on this more expensive drug and also about taking 90 mgs rather than the standard target dose of 60 mgs. The clinical studies said that 120 mgs is no more effective than 60 mgs. But a couple of months ago I tried cutting back to 60 mgs to try to lessen side effects (sleepiness) and my symptoms started to come back. So I went back to 90 mgs. and they went away in a couple of days. Right after I went back to the 90 mgs., the insurance company sent me a nasty letter and even called my home.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:52:23 +0000

There are contradictions in this article that make me question the vetting of articles for this site. No experienced psychiatrist could really claim that any antidepressant will work effectively for any patient. Welbutrin works well for some, but it not only did not work for me, it caused severe side-effects. Zoloft relieved symptoms, but did not work as well as Effexor. At a time of serious crisis, Effexor couldn’t do the job, even at highest possible dose, but Cymbalta has really made a difference. And yes, there are differences in side-effects–for me. I’m scared some idiot-official will mandate that only Prozac can be prescribed for depressed people dependent on Medicaid or state medical programs, just because it’s cheaper. Hey, idiot, or whoever wrote this article: they don’t work the same for ME!

By: Mookie

Mookie — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:09:07 +0000

Spot on, Beverly. The study drilled into each drug’s efficacy and directs doctors and patients to seriously employ/weight OTHER criteria in selecting an AD. The study confirms what docs and the rest of us have experienced first hand – some work for certain folks, others don’t. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!

By: beverly

beverly — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:26:34 +0000

Bad Writing. I can’t help but think that the author did this on purpose to elicit reader responses. Here’s my take on what he should have been conveyed: Fundamentally, antidepressants are intended to work the same, if “the same” refers to the drugs intended outcome- the alleviation of depression. The mechanisms by which they affect neurochemistry and eliminate depression, however, vary significantly. Hence one drug does not fit all. Depressed brains vary in their need for adjustment of dopamine, serotonin, and neuroepinephrine levels etc. Different drugs affect one or more of these chemical levels in the brain differently. Side affects vary by drug, dosage, and individual metabolisms.
By the way Jam, your hostile response is indicative of someone who may benefit from an antidepressant. You clearly have some misdirected anger. Exercise may help also.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:06:44 +0000

I agree 100% with Kate, Ken and Veronica. This article is horribly written and the study was not done well at all. It disgusts me that this kind of misinformation is out there.

Anyone with any understanding of the drugs knows they work in fundamentally different ways. I am on Wellbutrin now and it works wonderfully, whereas Zoloft did nothing for me – because it’s a completely different kind of medicine, working with completely different brain chemicals. Saying that “they are all the same” is just plain false.

By: Adriana

Adriana — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:55:52 +0000

Jan,

Some people may have a tendency to develop chemical imbalances in the brain when subjected to traumatic life experiences. I am glad that you have survived your tough times without having to resort to drugs, but you should not look down on people who do have to resort to taking medication. Everybody is different and everybody’s life is different, therefore you should not compare your life to other people’s lives.

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:38:47 +0000

WAAHHHH. I’m just here gathering info for a report. Depression……poor little babies..if you had lived my life as tough as it has been, you poor babies would be dead ir insane already, you would realize that you sometimes have to pull your butt up and stand up on your own, with your own strength and stop taking a drug for everything. With all the tough times I have been through, i am happy to still be alive and i’m not going to blame my depression on some chemical imbalance, so i can take the latest “popular” drug….you people are so brainwashed. I am so glad I was taught to not be dependent on all of the “crutches” you people have. Now that you are all riled up and fighting mad, what drug will take to calm you down? Sad, sad, you are an anchor on our society neck…….

By: Veronica

Veronica — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:26:47 +0000

I’m surprised by the blatant lying and glossing over of important facts by both this article. For example: at least one component study of over 1,000 people found that 25% of patients who didn’t respond to SSRIs DID respond to slightly different drugs, like Wellbutrin. This was a significant number. Well gee, if all drugs are the same, then that shouldn’t happen, should it?

There’s also the glossed over fact that side effects are a HUGE part of treatment. In one study, 50% of people stopped a drug because of side effects. If a person is not taking a drug, it’s hard to figure out whether that drug works, isn’t it. So maybe a more expensive drug is the same, efficacy wise, as a cheap drug. But if that cheap drug causes significant side effects and the patient doesn’t take it, the insurance company/patient is throwing money out the window. A more expensive drug that the patient can take is a worthwhile investment.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:26:55 +0000

In typical fashion, the life-destroying sexual side effects of SSRI’s are not mentioned. Google “PSSD” for more info.