Bipolar Disorder and Antidepressants

Antidepressants are a class of drugs that work on the brain in different ways to help raise the levels or lower the levels of certain neurotransmitters to help treat depression. Originally created for the treatment of major depressive disorder, antidepressant drugs are now being prescribed to treat the symptom of depression when it manifests itself within another health condition; this includes other mood disorders such as anxiety and bipolar disorder, as well as other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cancers, ADHD, arthritis, and even back pain.

Antidepressants can be taken to help treat the depression that accompanies those with bipolar disorder. However, it is important to note that at times antidepressants have been known to cause the manic symptoms.

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or bupropion [Wellbutrin] are the kinds of antidepressants most commonly used to treat the depression that is part of manic depressive or bipolar disorder.

Read more details about Antidepressants.

Trazodone

The most common side effects associated with trazodone use include: nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, loss of coordination, tiredness, dry mouth, constipaton, headache and blurred vision. Call your doctor immediately if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: unsual changes in behavior, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you

feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Drug interactions

Patients taking trazadone are advised to avoid alcohol. It is also important to inform your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. The following drugs may

interact with trazadone:

•indinavir (Crixivan) or ritonavir (Norvir);

•ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);

•digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

•carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin);

•warfarin (Coumadin);

•MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Mirtazapine

Remeron may cause weight gain, sometimes this may requiring discontinuation of treatment. Mirtazapine may increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Other

common side effects include: dizziness, nausea, flu symptoms and constipation. Seek immediate medical attention when you experience any severe side effect such as Severe allergic reactions, mental or mood changes thoughts of hurting yourself, tremors and worsening of depression.

Drug interactions

Mirtazapine potentiates the sedating effects of other drugs of drugs that can cause sedation such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs, the narcotic pain relievers, tricyclic class of antidepressants, certain drugs for hypertension and some antihistamines. Mirtazapine should not be used with MAO inhibitors such as selegilin (Carbex), phenelzine (Nardil), furazolidone (Furoxone), procarbazine (Matulane), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Avoid drinking alcohol because it may worsen some of the

side effects of mirtzapine.