Antidepressants

Antidepressants are medications used to treat depression and other mood disorders. They work by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, especially serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. There are several classes of antidepressants, each with different mechanisms of action and potential side effects.

Classes of Antidepressants

There are several classes of antidepressants, including:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Examples include fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine. SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain.
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Examples include venlafaxine and duloxetine. SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): Examples include amitriptyline and nortriptyline. TCAs work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, but they also affect other neurotransmitter systems.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Examples include phenelzine and tranylcypromine. MAOIs increase the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase.
Atypical Antidepressants: This class includes medications with diverse mechanisms of action, such as bupropion, mirtazapine, and trazodone.

How Antidepressants Work

Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are all involved in regulating mood, and imbalances in these neurotransmitters are thought to contribute to depression and other mood disorders.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects of antidepressants may include:

Nausea
Insomnia or drowsiness
Weight gain or loss
Sexual dysfunction
Constipation
Dizziness
Agitation or restlessness

Important Considerations

When taking antidepressants, it's important to:

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully
Be patient, as it can take several weeks for the full effects of the medication to be felt
Not stop taking the medication abruptly, as this can lead to withdrawal symptoms
Be aware of potential interactions with other medications or substances

Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding antidepressant use.

◂Chemistry Worksheets and Study Guides High School. Gases

The resources above cover the following skills:

Physical Science

Energy - A. Energy is involved in all physical and chemical processes. It is conserved, and can be transformed from one form to another and into work. At the atomic and nuclear levels energy is not continuous but exists in discrete amounts. Energy and mass are related through Einstein's equation E=mc 2 . B. The properties of atomic nuclei are responsible for energy-related phenomena such as radioactivity, fission and fusion. C. Changes in entropy and energy that accompany chemical reactions influence reaction paths. Chemical reactions result in the release or absorption of energy. D. The theory of electromagnetism explains that electricity and magnetism are closely related. Electric charges are the source of electric fields. Moving charges generate magnetic fields. E. Waves are the propagation of a disturbance. They transport energy and momentum but do not transport matter.

Relate temperature to the average molecular kinetic energy.