I am researching different antidepressant options for treating depression, so could you tell me more about Prozac fluoxetine and Savella milnacipran?

Let’s discuss Prozac / fluoxetine first and then cover Savella / milnacipran. Prozac is the brand name for the generic prescription antidepressant fluoxetine. Prozac fluoxetine is approved by the FDA and indicated as a prescription treatment of major clinical depression including the pediatric variety, OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, bulimia nervosa, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Fluoxetine Prozac is in the prescription antidepressant class of SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.

Prozac fluoxetine was one the earliest SSRIs discovered and indicated for the treatment of depression. Despite the availability of other newer prescription antidepressants, Prozac fluoxetine remains very popularly prescribed and used as the third most used antidepressant. Prozac fluoxetine was discovered in 1970 by Eli Lilly, who now manufactures and markets the prescription antidepressant. The common side effects for Prozac fluoxetine are nausea, somnolence, insomnia, anorexia, and tremor. Similar to other SSRIs, Prozac fluoxetine have a common side effects of some degree of sexual dysfunction. Prozac fluoxetine is contraindicated for patients taking MAOIs, thioridazine, and pimozide.

Okay, next let’s cover some important basic information for Savella. Savella is the brand name for the prescription antidepressant drug milnacipran. Savella milnacipran, which is classified as an SNRI serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is indicated and prescribed as an antidepressant for the treatment of clinical depression and fibromyalgia. In the science of the drug, Savella milnacipran helps raise the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain by inhibiting the reuptake and thus improving symptoms of depression and chronic pain, respectively. Savella and milnacipran is manufactured and marketed by the French company Pierre Fabre. It is very important to note that milnacipran Savella is not approved by the US FDA for indication in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Some of the most frequently occurring side effects with Savella milnacipran found in studies are headaches, nausea, constipation, insomnia, hot flush, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, dry mouth, and hyperextension. Savella milnacipran seems to have no negative effect and impact on sexual functions, which is a significant side effect often impacting patient compliance with SSRIs or other SNRIs. Important drug interactions which should be noted, cautioned, and reported to the monitoring physician prior to starting any prescription antidepressant treatment with Savella milnacipran are MAOIs, lithium, norephinephrine, epinephrine, clonidine, digitalis, and alcohol.

Patients taking Prozac fluoxetine, Savella milnacipran, or any other prescription antidepressants or the physicians monitoring such patients should pay particular attention to any suicidality and suicidal ideations in the patients. Also, with such SSRIs (Prozac fluoxetine) and SNRIs (Savella milnacipran), there is a risk of SSRI discontinuation syndrome which can be quite serious and even fatal, so any stopping of the prescription antidepressant should be done through drug tapering under the monitoring of a doctor or physician.

What is depression?

Depression, which can also be known as unipolar disorder or depression, clinical depression, major depression, or major depressive disorder, is described as a low mood with encompasses all aspects of one’s life with accompanying loss of life interest, loss of life pleasure, and low self-esteem. Depression is characterized as a disabling disorder and condition which adversely and negatively affect one’s work, family life, school life, health, appetite, habits, and sleep.

Depression has a major correlation with suicide which needs to be noted. Just under 4% of all people with major depression commit suicide, with around 60% of all who commit suicide have a mood disorder such as depression.

Something important to note is that some people will use the word “depression” to denote some temporary sadness, ups and downs in mood, or temporary blues; however, medical depression is much more than this normal sadness. Depression is more like living in a state of feeling of impending doom or “living in a black hole” with sometimes no sadness at all and just an emptiness, lifelessness, and helplessness. Depression interferes with all aspects of life including family, school, work, eating, sleeping, and having fun.

A diagnosis of depression is based on a person’s self reported symptoms as well as with the corroboration of friends and family who have observed the patient. The most commonly reported symptoms are an inability to enjoy previously pleasurable things, very low mood, and preoccupations with feelings of regret, sadness, self-hatred, worthlessness, guilt, and helplessness. Depression can effect social withdrawal, reduced libido and sex drive, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, sleeplessness, insomnia, reduced appetite, and poor memory and concentration.

It is important to know how depression may otherwise manifest itself, especially in the young and elderly. In the young, depression may present itself as irritability, loss of interest in school, and academic decline. Depression in the young can be especially difficult to diagnose if it coincides with deficit disorders such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). With the elderly, depression may present as forgetfulness, slowing of cognitive functions, or slowing of movements. Depression may often come with elderly physical ailments such as CV cardiovascular disease, COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s, or a stroke.

Episodes of depression will usually resolve with time, whether or not treatment options are pursued. It is important to note that about 80% of all sufferers of a depression episode will suffer another one during their lifetime, with the average total being about four episodes. Recurrences of depression is more likely if the depression episode is not fully resolved with proper treatment. Sufferers of depression also have a lower life expectancy and generally lower quality of life. All these things point toward the importance of educating oneself about depression and pursuing and finding the proper treatment options.

It is important to understand depression, so that proper interventions such as remedies, antidepressants, or therapy and counseling can be pursued.

What are the causes and risk factors for depression and why is it important to know them?

It is important to know the risk factors and causes for depression because depression is indeed a serious issue that people need to be watchful for in themselves and in loved ones around them. If you are able to understand and identify the underlying cause of depression, that may help address and overcome the problem. Addressing some of these issues directly can often times be more effective than getting therapy and counseling or taking antidepressants. At the very least, addressing the causes and risk factors of depression in combination with some professional therapy and help will be the more effective approach.

Here are some of the causes and risk factors for depression: feelings of loneliness or isolation, lack of social relationships and social support, stressful life experiences in the recent times, financial hardships or strain, underemployment, unemployment, or unfulfilling job, drug or alcohol abuse, family history of depression, early childhood abuse or trauma, and relationship or marital problems.

Over time, you will learn to recognize the symptoms of depression creeping back so you will seek out proper social support, treatments, and interventions.

What are some treatments and remedies for depression?

First of all, finding the right treatment for depression needs to start with a medical doctor, physician, or trained depression specialist. The physician will be able to check for other medical conditions that might mimic the same symptoms as depression. The doctor will also be able to recommend and monitor different medications and treatment as well as provide counseling and psychotherapy. The major treatments for the management of depression are psychotherapy counseling and antidepressant medication / remedies.

Psychotherapy and counseling is an important but oft ignored or undervalued part of depression treatment. Talk therapy with a trained depression specialist or doctor will teach you different techniques for combating depression with reframing thinking and cognitive behavioral therapy. Talking with a therapist can also help you identity the root reasons, causes, and triggers for your depression so that you can stay healthy and happy mentally.

The second and oft most well-known but stigmatized treatment option for depression is taking prescription medication and antidepressants. In terms of relieving some of the chemical imbalance in the brain, antidepressants can certainly help but they should not be a long-term solution by itself. With prescription antidepressants, you should also be aware of side effects and safety concerns since some of them can be quite severe. Your doctor or physician will be able to educate you about these antidepressant issues and help monitor your health while taking them.

There are also other alternative depression treatments that you can explore. First is relaxation techniques to help relieve stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression. Acupuncture on key pressure points have also been shown to have therapeutic purposes in depression treatment. Also, there are many herbal remedies, supplements, and vitamins that can help with depression, but if you do opt for any of them, consult your doctor or physician to check for substance interactions and monitoring.

Keep in mind that treating depression should be much more than just taking prescription medications. It will take the time to find the right treatment for your depression so be patient and be discouraged. Finding the right depression treatment will take commitment and time. Lifestyle changes might also be in order such as finding social support, anti-isolation techniques, exercising, proper nutrition, better sleep, and reducing stress. Physicians and depression experts strongly recommend physical exercise and other lifestyle changes as studies have shown a large difference particularly in those suffering from mild to moderate kinds of anxiety and depression.

If you decide to take prescription antidepressants and medications for your depression, do not ignore other adjunct treatments. Talk therapy and lifestyle improvement changes will help speed your depression recovery as well as provide skills and recognition to prevent a depression recurrence.

How do i make the right choice regarding treatment for the depression of mine or a loved one?

Finding the right treatment choices for depression starts with a doctor or physician, as they will be able to provide talk therapy, psychotherapy, and recommend and monitor prescription medications and depression remedies. Keep in mind that the most effective treatment for depression is usually a combination of lifestyle changes, talk therapy, and maybe prescription medication. Get all the information and education you can about depression and treatment options so that you can make the best decision.

Another good way to get information is to ask friends and family about their experiences and recommendations. Bear in mind that depression is a very personal, and sometimes embarrassing or stigmatizing condition to have, so be sure to use caution, tact, gentleness, and politeness when asking someone about their experiences and recommendations with depression, antidepressants, and depression treatments and remedies.