Pharmacological treatments

Six classes of antidepressant treatments are available for depression therapy, and all affect the concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitters either within the neuron or in the synaptic cleft.  However, each class also offers differences in efficacy, tolerability, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

The table below provides an overview of the different classes of antidepressant treatments, presented in chronological order of introduction to the clinic:

References

  1. Fiedorowicz JG, Swartz KL. The role of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in current psychiatric practice. J Psychiatr Pract 2004; 10(4): 239-248
  2. Zajecka JM, Zajecka AM. A Clinical Overview of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: Pharmacological Profile, Efficacy, Safety/Tolerability, and Strategies for Successful Outcomes in the Management of Major Depressive Disorders. Psychiatric Annals 2014; 44(11): 513.
  3. Gillman PK. Tricyclic antidepressant pharmacology and therapeutic drug interactions updated. Br J Pharmacol 2007; 151(6):
    737–748.
  4. The treatment and management of depression in adults, NICE clinical guideline 90. 2009.
  5. Hiemke C, Härtter. S. Pharmacokinetics of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Pharmacol Ther 2000; 85: 11–28.
  6. Sansone RA, Sansone LA. Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors: A Pharmacological Comparison. Innov Clin Neurosci 2014; 11: 37–42.
  7. Hajós M et al. The selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant Reboxetine: pharmacological and clinical profile. CNS drug reviews 2006; 10(1): 23–44.
  8. Baghai TC et al. Individualised pharmacological treatment of depressive disorders: state of the art and recent developments. J Depress Anxiety 2014; 3(2): 1000154