Trazodone is an oral medication, used for depression, but unlike traditional antidepressants, not related to tricyclic and tetracyclic structures. Available in capsule form for oral administration with a concentration of the active ingredient trazodone hydrochloride 100, 50 or 25 mg.
Depression is a disease.
Depression is a mental disorder that manifests itself in a prolonged mood. For classical depression are characterized by symptoms-hypotimium (low mood), motor retardation. Today, depression is one of the most common mental disorders. In the United States of America, it is the second most popular reason to prescribe a sick list.
Depression is a mental disorder that the World Health Organization compares to the epidemic. According to data provided by WHO, depression ranks second in the world among the factors that provoke incapacity for working. This means about 150 million people a year who are losing their jobs because of the disease. Today, depression is the most diagnosed disorder among women. Less than 10 years later, who forecasts that depression will take the lead in the list of the most common diseases regardless of the gender of the patient. In the United States of America, 15 million people in this country are depressed and ranked second in the list of diseases on the basis of which sick-lists are issued. In Canada, about 15 percent of the population suffers from depressive disorder. Statistics show that women are twice as likely to suffer from this disorder as men. This difference is largely due to the fact that the male depression most often remains undiagnosed. This is because men often refuse to acknowledge the presence of this disorder and prefer to refrain from medical care.
Interesting facts about depression
Some experts believe that depression is beneficial to health. In the book of one of the scientists of New York University It is written about it, that this disease helps the person to understand the true desires and becomes the trigger mechanism for start of positive changes in life. Dutch scientists confirm that those patients who have suffered depressive disorder, are characterized by stronger physical and mental health. These people are better off coping with life's difficulties, they have increased efficiency. University staff from North Carolina found that women who have suffered from depression are growing in life expectancy. A doctor at one of the UK universities says that the benefits of depression are based on the fact that the disease causes a person to eliminate stressful factors from their lives and helps people to be more realistic.
In recent decades, as depression has gained increasing prevalence, the reasons for its emergence have been discussed. The specialists discussed hormonal, social, genetic and other various reasons.
To date, it is known that the causes of depressions are several and they depend on both the type of depression and the type of human personality. So, when bipolar depression is genetic, that is hereditary reason. When studying postpartum depression the scientists found out that the main role in this case is played by hormonal changes. Thus, one can say that for each type of depression is a characteristic reason. On the basis of these reasons certain hypotheses of development of depression have been formed. Numerous studies on depression have led to the formation of the main hypotheses of its development. The most common is biochemical, biological and genetic hypothesis. Some scientists also distinguish the theory of the environment.
Causes of depression are:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Neuromediator imbalance
- Genetic background
- Social causes
Depression, hormonal imbalance
Numerous studies show that most patients have some hormonal shifts. The most topical reason is the development of postpartum depression.
Hormonal markers of depressive disorders are:
- Increased cortisol levels in the blood.
- Change of the daily rhythm of secretion of glucocorticoids.
- Change of secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone.
Cortisol is a hormone of steroid nature, which is synthesized by adrenal glands. He participates in the carbohydrate exchange of the organism. Cortisol also regulates the development of stressful situations. The concentration of cortisol in the day is fickle-the morning maximum concentration, and in the evening-the minimum. Such fluctuation of concentration is provided by the factor which is synthesized by hypothalamus. Their interaction is based on the principle of feedback. Thus, increased secretion of kortikoliberina leads to lower cortisol and vice versa. In depression observed increased concentration of cortisol and the violation of its daily secretion. This leads to reduced psychomotor activity, changes in sleep patterns, decreased libido, and pronounced cognitive changes. All of these symptoms are early signs of depression.
Recent depression studies have led to the conclusion that the main pathogenetic mechanism is the reduction of anabolic processes. When the concentration of cortisol in the blood is shifted metabolism in the direction of catabolic processes. Thus, in depression, decay processes prevail over synthesis. Basically it concerns energy exchange which decreases at the given pathology. Confirmation of this hypothesis is the fact that depression has low levels of anabolic hormones. These are Androgeni, Somatomone and Dehydroepiandrosteron. The last hormone has a stress-protective effect, and so when it is small, resistance to stress decreases.
Neuromediator imbalance This cause reflects the biochemical hypothesis of development. It takes into account the imbalance of the three major mediators as the main cause of depression.
For each of these mediators there are receptors with which they interact. At the end of the process of nerve cells there are receptors for these substances. And between two such processes there is a small narrow space called synaptic slit. It is in this gap is the accumulation of neurotransmitters. In order for the nerve impulse to pass through the nerve fiber, it is necessary to involve the neurotransmitter. At the same time it is associated with specific receptors-serotonin with serotonin receptors, dopamine with dopamine and so on. Thus, the impulse is passed on the fibre and the realization of this or that effect.
Genetic causes of depression.
According to the latest research, there is a gene that is localized on the 11th chromosome. It is also called "The genome of depression". In people with bipolar psychosis and some other diseases there is an expression of this gene. However, recent scientists have come to the conclusion that the predisposition to depression is explained by the work of several genes simultaneously. In other words, there are several genes localized on different chromosomes, the expression of which is observed in depression. So, except for the gene on the 11 chromosome, the gene on the 4 chromosome was detected, as well as the gene located on chromosome X.
Often social causes play a crucial role in the onset of the first episode of depression. For social reasons are the reasons affecting all aspects of life-family, professional.
The social causes of depression are:
- Problems in personal life.
- Death of a close relative.
These causes are stressful factors that provoke the primary episode. It is noteworthy that in the development of further depressive episodes these factors are no longer of such importance. Thus, they launch a mechanism for the development of depression, and subsequently joined them a number of other reasons. A very important stress factor is the loss of a parent as a child at a younger age. Divorce or rupture with a close person is also considered a strong factor provoking depression. In fact often problems in interpersonal relations promote development of lowered self-esteem in people. This becomes a breeding ground for a further depressive episode.
Consequences of depression
According to the estimates of specialists by 2020, depression will take the leading place among all other diseases. It will outstrip cardiovascular diseases and oncological diseases. Even today, depression is the main cause of non-attendance and incapacity for work. The main problem is that it affects the young prospective generation.
The most frightening consequence that depression can cause is suicidal behavior. It is believed that more than 80 percent of depression patients visit suicidal thoughts. A quarter of them try to commit at least one suicide attempt. Suicide statistics today is frightening. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 800,000 people commit suicide every year in the world. According to other data, this figure exceeds more than 1 million. It is connected with the fact that many countries, of course, try to hide the statistics and downplay the data. The number of suicide attempts equates to 15 million. Female sex tries to kill herself four times more often than men's. At the same time, men are 4 times more likely to commit suicide. A large percentage of this data is in the teenage generation. Among people between 17 and 30 years of age, suicide is the second cause of death. The group at risk includes those people who have already had suicide attempts among their relatives. Increases the likelihood of suicidal thoughts in the experience of physical or sexual violence, the death of a loved one, the presence of drug or alcohol addiction.
According to WHO, between 60 and 70 per cent of the 800,000 are people with emotional disorders, that is, those suffering from different types of depressions. In this case, depressive patients are not only the biggest suicidal trend, but also the highest percentage of completed suicides. Thus, it can be said that the problem of suicide is a problem of depression. In spite of all these data, only one of the four who committed suicide then receives professional medical care.
What causes depression?
Prolonged depression leads to a decrease in the quality of life of the patient. Violations arise in the personal, professional and social sphere of life. The lack of adequate treatment changes the patient's attitude to himself and the surrounding reality for the worse.
The problems that depression causes are:
- Deterioration of appearance;
- Reduction of efficiency;
- Difficulties in relationships;
- Sexual disorders;
- Social isolation.
People with strong health, who are in good physical condition and lead an active social life, are less prone to depressive disorder. Therefore prevention of depression is based on observance of healthy and full-fledged way of life.
Measures to prevent depression are:
- Healthy rest;
Chemical structure and mechanism of Trazodona action-tricyclic preparation.
Trrazodon on the chemical structure does not belong to Tricyclical, tetryclical and other types of antidepressants. Тrazodona hydrochloride has no odor, white color, well dissolved in water, has a molecular mass of 408.33.
The remedy has a deep anti-depressive effect. The drug Тrazodon, a strong tranquilizer effect. But Тrazodon on pharmacological properties strongly differs from other, similar to it, preparations. Тrazodone blocks Alpha-adrenoretseptory. Other drugs either inhibit the substance, or stimulate the central nervous system. This drug Тrazodon qualitatively different from the drugs of his pharmacological group.
The drug Тrazodon effectively eliminates anxiety, insomnia, reduces sweating, fear, heartbeat, headache, effective tension, myalgia. Patients receiving Trazodone improve the quality of sleep and its duration, eliminates increased anxiety. This is due to the fact that the drug can selectively inhibit the reverse takeover of serotonin in the brain. Тrazodon acts as an antagonist of 5-HT2A/2C receptors.
The maximum concentration of the drug is reached within 2 hours, after 30 minutes it begins to act. When taking medication at the same time with food intake rate decreases, the substance longer displays the concentration of it becomes slightly lower. It is better to take on an empty stomach. Тrazodon quickly penetrates into biological fluids and tissues. It is easy to overcome histhaemotic barriers. Тrazodon has a high degree of binding with blood plasma protein 87 – 96%. In the liver is formed an active metabolite 1-M-Chlorphenylpiperazin. In a single admission of Trazodona, the drug is excreted in the course of 3 to 6 hours, with a systematic admission to 9 hours. The whole drug of Trazodone is excreted in 98 hours.
Tricyclical antidepressants what is it?
One of the main conditions for recovering depressive patients is the admission of suitable antidepressants. The positive or negative effects of the medication can only be seen in a few weeks. Today. Tricyclical antidepressants are considered to be the most effective.
Tricyclical antidepressants give a long-lasting positive effect, provided they are properly received. Usually the duration of the course is not less than 6 months. Although significant changes are coming in 2 to 3 weeks. Tricyclical antidepressants should not be used without the control of your doctor. Improper dosage or abrupt rejection of the medication can lead to tragic consequences. Successful treatment of depression, suppression of all symptoms of depression begins after a long reception. This is a feature of tricyclic drugs. They give a long lasting positive effect provided they are properly received.
With the proper intake of tricyclic drugs, there are almost no side effects. If there are any side effects they quickly pass. At the end of the course drug, designate in smaller doses. This helps to minimize the withdrawal syndrome or to eliminate it altogether.
Use of tricyclic drugs in medicine.
The use of tricyclic drugs is not limited to the diagnosis of depression. They are appointed with diagnoses: pain symptoms of various etiology, panic attacks, migraine, a discursive-compulsive disorder, headaches of a regular nature. Tricyclical antidepressants are successfully used in the treatment of various types of sleep disorders. The reason for such a large range of use of these drugs in its chemical formula and their impact on the chemical processes of the brain. The drug is tricyclic because the structure of its chemical compound consists of three cycles. Remember that tricyclical drugs are not a solution to all problems and are selected individually. ----The efficacy of the drug depends on many factors:
- Depression depth
- Regularity of application
- Previous treatment Courses
- Compatibility with other drugs
- Somatic condition of the patient
- Possible Side effects
What to take antidepressants "strong" or "weak"?
It is up to the doctor to decide which antidepressants to assign: strong or weak. Sometimes long-term treatment with weak drugs is required, and sometimes greater effect is achieved by short-term the use of strong antidepressants. Very often, to choose the desired drug, you have to use several types of drugs.
The peculiarity of the use of tricyclic drugs is that they are appointed in small doses, gradually increasing to the desired concentration.
Appointment of tricyclic antidepressants. It is necessary to remember that depression needs to be cured. If it is not cured, the symptoms are sure to return again, as the improvement does not mean healing. If a person after treatment is relapse, the next course of treatment should be deeper and longer than the previous.
Tricyclical drugs are not suitable for everyone. The reason for this is their prolonged operation. Some patients, especially those prone to suicide, will not feel relieved by the admission of this group of antidepressants. In addition, overdose of these drugs can be fatal. contraindicated tricyclical drugs and some chronic diseases.
Tricyclical drugs: Trrazodon, imipramine, Myanserin, Dokselin, Lofepramine. Ideal drugs do not exist, but it is tricyclical drugs often achieve resistant effect.
Side effects of the substance of Trazodon
Central nervous system: confusion, dizziness, insomnia, tremor, drowsiness, blurred vision, diplopia, large convulsive seizures, dykinesia, paresthesia, weakness, muscular twitching, apasia, psychosis, hallucinations, Excitement, fatigibility, headache, ataxia, dizziness.
cardiovascular System and Blood (Hemostasis, hematopoiemia): hemolytic anemia, leukocytosis or leukopenia, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, the arrhythmia of bradycardia, ecpiemic ventricular rhythms), arterial Hypotension, orthostatic hypotension.
Organs of the gastric intestinal tract: Increasing the level of bilirubin and amilase in the blood plasma, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, dryness and unpleasant taste in the mouth, nausea, flatulence, candidiasis of the oral cavity, diseases of the dental tissues, increased appetite, caries, Nausea.
Urogenital system: Increased libido, impotence, hirsutism, premature menstruation, retrograde ejaculation, increased urination, urinary retention, haematuria.
- Skin rash
Can Trazodone be addictive? The difference between tricyclic drugs and tranquilizers.
Tricyclical drugs such as Trazodone do not cause addiction. This judgment is mistaken and devoid of truth. Tricyclical Group of antidepressants does not belong to a group of tranquilizers. There are two important differences between these groups:
- Tranquillizers Act soothingly on the central nervous system
- Tricyclical Drugs act as the causative agents of the central nervous system
These are two completely different types of medications. Of course, both of these directions are designed for one purpose, for successful treatment of human mental health. Only the doctor decides which direction to choose.
Tricyclical drugs can not be lifted sharply. Cessation of treatment passes gradually with a gradual reduction in the dosage of the drug for 3-4 weeks. There may be a withdrawal syndrome. The withdrawal syndrome is characterized by:
- Sleep disorders
- Abdominal pain spasmatic Character
Some patients confuse it with addiction. The withdrawal syndrome takes place on its own in a few weeks. If you follow the instructions of your doctor and gradually reduce the dosage of the drug, nothing happens. Withdrawal syndrome is quite rare, in most patients it does not happen.
How do antidepressants affect the conception of a child?
In men, the reception of antidepressants causes a decrease in sperm activity. The number of cells with destroyed DNA is increased by 30% of the normal norm. Such cells arise in the reception of antidepressants of both the old and the new generation.
In women, the end of taking antidepressants reduces the chances of conceiving. In fact deepening of depression reduces possibilities to conception.
Planning a pregnancy is better after a course of treatment with antidepressants. After 2-3 months after the gradual (pay attention!) The repeal of antidepressants and only in mild cases of depression! In severe forms of depression a man from antidepressants to refuse is impossible, so designate antidepressants of a new generation. They allow the fetus to move more gently the effects of drugs.
The application of Trazodona during pregnancy.
Sometimes the use of drugs can not be waived. During pregnancy, women in many ways deny that would not harm her baby. But it happens so that the removal of drugs can harm the mother and her child. Taking antidepressants occurs only under the supervision of a doctor!!! Complete rejection of antidepressants can cause withdrawal syndrome. This may adversely affect the health of the child and the mother. Increasing depressive state may provoke:
- Intensification of depressive states
- Birth of a dead child
- Postpartum depression
- Negative fetal development