CHATHAM, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2023 / A new antidepressant drug candidate being developed by researchers at Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:TNXP) is said to have mechanistic activity and therapeutic features that set it apart from almost all of the currently approved antidepressants in the U.S.
A second therapeutic candidate, LYT-310 (oral cannabidiol), is expected to enter the clinic in Q4 of 2023. A second therapeutic candidate, LYT-310 (oral cannabidiol), is expected to enter the clinic in Q4 of 2023.
Esketamine is in a new class of antidepressants, based on the pain medication and general anesthetic ketamine, a drug that has been used clinically for decades. It's the first ketamine-based antidepressant for people experiencing treatment resistant depression (TRD).
In August 2022, the FDA approved extended-release tablets for the treatment of MDD in adults. Dextromethorphan-bupropion combines two drugs—dextromethorphan, an uncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor (also referred to as a sigma-1 receptor agonist), and bupropion, an established antidepressant.
Four new antidepressants have been recently marketed in Australia. They are the selective reversible monoamine oxidase A inhibitor, moclobemide, and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline.
Overall, the most commonly prescribed individual antidepressants were amitriptyline (19%), escitalopram (19%), sertraline (15%), mirtazapine (11%) and fluoxetine (7%); together these constituted 71% of all prescriptions.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
This class includes sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine. SSRIs are: the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in Australia. often a doctor's first choice for most types of depression.
Today, monoamine oxidase inhibitors are often seen as a "last resort" treatment when other antidepressants have failed. For various reasons, some individuals do not respond well to newer classes of antidepressants. In these cases, doctors often fall back upon older formulations, such as MAOIs or tricyclics.
SSRIs are usually the first choice medicine for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant.
The second-generation antidepressants such as venlafaxine, trazodone, bupropion, and mirtazapine are reserved for the treatment of patients who have failed other pharmacologic management (e.g., SSRIs). Again, these drugs' side effect profile can guide choice of drug.
Perhaps the most recognizable among them is Prozac (fluoxetine). It's still the best option for many people, but since it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987, Prozac has been joined by a variety of other antidepressant medications.
SSRIs are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants. They're usually preferred over other antidepressants, as they cause fewer side effects.
Benzodiazepines (also known as tranquilizers) are the most widely prescribed type of medication for anxiety. Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour.
SSRI's are anti-depressants and are currently the most popular anti-depression / anti-anxiety drugs as they have fewer side effects than MAOI's. SSRI's include drugs such as Prozac, Luvox and Aropax. SSRI's must be taken on a daily basis for at least a few weeks before they are effective.
SSRIs are among the most frequently sold drugs in Australia. Sertraline (sold under the brand name Zoloft) and escitalopram (Cipralex and Lexapro) are both among Australia's 10 most commonly prescribed medications.
Overall, citalopram appears to be the best-tolerated SSRI, followed by fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, and fluvoxamine. The latter 2 drugs are associated with the most side effects and the highest discontinuation rates because of side effects in clinical trials.
Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are examples of “energizing” antidepressants; whereas Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram) tend to be more sedating.
Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Lexapro, are just a few brands of serotonin that we prescribe for those who suffer from depression, and/or anxiety disorder. There is evidence that these drugs can also improve premenopausal symptoms, even a role in the treatment of obesity and parkinson's disease.
For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.
How Does Your Doctor Select Which Antidepressant to Administer? Your doctor chooses which antidepressant medicine to recommend based on your symptoms, the presence of other medical conditions, what other medicines you are taking, cost of the prescribed treatments, and potential side effects.