Antidepressants without a prescription: what they are, how they differ from tranquilizers

Depression can be described as general emotional exhaustion. As a rule, this is due to the inability to solve an important task, from the point of view of a given person. When a person is suppressed by external circumstances and fails to adequately realize his desires and ambitions, the body may well respond with situational depression.

Another common type of depressive disorder is somatization depression. In this case, mental discomfort results in diseases of the internal organs (peptic ulcer, hormonal disorders, cardiovascular problems).

Depression is also known due to fluctuations in the level of sex hormones (during menopause or after childbirth), as a result of prolonged stress, chronic or incurable illness, injury or disability.

In general, depression is irritability multiplied by weakness against the background of a low level of one’s own pleasure hormones (enkephalins and endorphins) in the brain, which leads to dissatisfaction with oneself and the surrounding reality in the absence of the strength to change anything radically.

Possible workarounds include support from the environment, a specialist (psychiatrist or psychologist) and/or medication. If circumstances are favorable, this will help you choose new priorities in life and get rid of the very reason that led to your painful state of mind.

Medicines that treat depression are called antidepressants. Their use has made a real splash in psychiatry and has significantly improved the prognosis of patients with depression, and also significantly reduced the number of suicides due to depressive disorders.

How to properly treat depression

At the first symptoms of a mental disorder, you should immediately consult a doctor. Only a specialist knows which pills to take for depression, and in which cases you can do without them. Many people try to cope on their own by taking over-the-counter antidepressants.

But such patients should know that the effect of these drugs is very individual and selective. Besides, never before has taking a pill alone cured depression. It is imperative to combine medications with the right lifestyle, nutrition and psychotherapy. In many cases, only this can help the patient, and he does not need to take some medications, especially since all sedatives have many contraindications and side effects. Therefore, the patient needs to monitor his thoughts and mood, communicate more, play sports and creativity, and include in his diet foods that promote the production of serotonin. In general, it is believed that any food saves you from depression, but some do it more effectively. These are tomatoes, whole grain bread, bananas and cheese. In addition, you should not neglect traditional methods of treatment. Aromatherapy, massage, relaxing baths and herbal infusions also help cope with depression. But if the disease is in a moderate or severe stage, then taking special medications is necessary.

Let’s “get to know” depression once or twice

How can you tell if a person is depressed and not just having a bad day in the morning? First, let's figure out what is meant by this term.

Depression is a condition characterized by a combination of depressed mood and reduced activity: a person is not interested in anything, he is inactive (Fedotova A.V., 2008).

There are two key signs to suspect depression. The first is decreased interest or lack of enjoyment in all or most activities. The second is a depressed mood most of the day, almost every day (Prikhodko V.Yu. et al., 2011). A person with depression experiences constant fatigue, he feels that he “has no strength,” “all his energy has gone,” he is “internally empty.”

In search of a solution to their problem, such patients often rush to the pharmacy for vitamins “to cheer up,” and sometimes for sedatives “for nerves.” How can you recognize a person who has become a victim of depression among the many visitors to a pharmacy, and most importantly, how to help him?

What to take for depression

Now there are many drugs created to help a person cope with this mental disorder. They are all so different and have such a unique effect on the patient’s body that only a doctor can choose the right medication. Therefore, most of these drugs are sold by prescription. What are the most commonly prescribed medications for depression?

1. Antidepressants are the largest group of medications for this disease. They are designed to influence the patient’s mood, his mental state, cause emotional uplift and interest in life. Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications for depression, and some can even be purchased without a prescription. Among them are medications that have a sedative effect. These are Amitriptyline, Azafen, Lerivon and others. There are also stimulant drugs - Nortriptyline, Imipramine or Fluoxetine. There are also antidepressants with a balanced effect that do not have a pronounced sedative or stimulating effect. These are Clomipramine, Pyrazedol or Stablon.
2. Antipsychotic medications are very common in the treatment of various types of mental disorders. But many of them are also used in the treatment of depression. Such drugs relax, suppress feelings of fear and hallucinations, reduce reactions to external stimuli and improve sleep. These include Haloperidol, Perferazine, Tiapridal, Truxal and others.
3. Tranquilizers are one of the most popular but dangerous groups of drugs. You should not take them without a doctor’s recommendation, as they are highly addictive and have many side effects. However, a drug belonging to this group can be used as a sedative for depression, since these drugs effectively relax, relieve convulsions, remove fear and anxiety, and promote sleep. They are rarely used for course treatment, since the effect is observed after the first dose. The most well-known tranquilizers are “Diazepam”, “Elenium”, “Valium”, “Sedukesen”, “Lorazepam”, “Phenazepam” and others.
4. Nootropic drugs help improve blood circulation in the brain and its ability to withstand negative external factors. These medications affect the receptors and hormones responsible for the development of depression - serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. The most famous nootropic drugs include Piracetam, Glycine, Phenotropil, Noofen and others.
5. Normomitics are medications that equalize mood. They also have a sedative and anticonvulsant effect. These are drugs such as Mazepin, Lithium carbonate, Konvulex, Epial and others.

What products can be used for weight loss

The best known drug is Fluoxetine; it is one of the antidepressants that is used for weight loss in bulimia, which is a psychological disorder. Its action is based on improving mood, controlling the feeling of hunger, and dulling the desire to absorb food.

The positive qualities of Fluoxetine are its affordable price and lack of interference in metabolic processes. Taking the drug allows you to increase endurance and performance. All these actions break the vicious circle, when a bad mood makes you want to snack, and increasing body weight has an even more depressing effect on the psyche.

It is contraindicated to take Fluoxetine in the following cases:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• increased intraocular pressure;
• diabetes;
• epileptic seizures, high convulsive readiness and other organic abnormalities in the central nervous system;
• dysfunction of detoxification and excretory organs (liver and kidneys);
• pronounced deviations in mental state;
• manic suicidal tendencies.

Escitalopram and Paroxetine can also reduce weight, but after stopping these drugs, a reverse reaction occurs, the patient has an irresistible desire to eat sweets.

Duloxetine and Zoloft help not only improve the condition and remove fat from the hips and legs, but also increase activity, a person has a desire to move and exercise.

Why do you need a sedative?

The effect of such drugs for depression is not always effective. This is due to the cause of the disease and the characteristics of its course. This state is not always accompanied by excitement. In case of apathy, drowsiness and loss of strength, a sedative for depression can only aggravate the condition. In addition to the causes and symptoms accompanying the disease, when choosing drugs, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body. Such drugs act so selectively that the doctor often has to act by trial and possibly error. This is due to the fact that a third of people with depression cannot be cured with the help of common medications. In what cases can a sedative be used for depression?

If the patient is excited and aggressive, cannot fall asleep and relax, feels fear and anxiety, these medications will help him. Sedatives are also called sedatives and slow down the psychological and physiological reactions of the body. Therefore, they help the patient cope with anxiety, relax and fall asleep. Such drugs can be divided into two groups: sedatives of natural and synthetic origin. Natural ones are made on the basis of medicinal herbs and are almost non-addictive, although their effect is just as effective. Most sedatives can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription, but you should not take them without a doctor's recommendation.

Let's ask depression a question

If you see such a pharmacy visitor, ask him two simple questions:

• Have you been feeling depressed for at least 2 weeks?
• Have you lost interest in activities that you previously enjoyed?

If you get a positive answer, you may have someone with depression.

Features of antidepressants

Their action is based on the ability to relieve tension, anxiety and melancholy. They normalize mood and sleep.

1. One of the most popular antidepressants is Amitriptyline. Its price is quite low - from 20 to 50 rubles, but treatment with the product is a course, so you will need more than one package of tablets. The effect of the drug is based on reducing anxiety and reducing motor agitation. This drug normalizes the levels of the hormones norepinephrine and serotonin, therefore it is used for sleep disorders, neuroses and emotional disorders. Amitriptyline is often used in treatment regimens for depression. Price plays an important role in this, but the fact that it is easily tolerated by patients is also important. Therefore, reviews about it are mostly positive.
2. "Citalopram" well regulates the nervous state of patients and has a positive effect on their mood. The drug suppresses feelings of anxiety, tension and fear, blocks panic and obsessive states, but almost does not cause drowsiness.
3. The sedative antidepressant Desipramine, sometimes called Norpramin, helps reduce symptoms of depression. It normalizes mood well and improves sleep, and even has a weak analgesic effect. The drug is popular due to the fact that it causes almost no side effects and addiction. Therefore, both doctors and patients speak well of it.
4. Clomipramine has broader indications. The price is quite high - 200-300 rubles per package, which is still not enough for a course of treatment. But the fact that, in addition to relieving anxiety, panic and tension, it helps eliminate chronic pain, makes it quite popular. The drug is used for any depressive disorders, as a sedative for neuroses, migraines and cancer. Clomipramine is often prescribed to older people. Although its price is high, it is accessible to many, and the drug really helps.
5. The drug Fluoxetine, better known as Prozac, is quite popular abroad and now in our country. The drug rarely causes side effects, and its effectiveness as a sedative for various nervous disorders is very high. It helps with depression accompanied by severe fear and anxiety. Patients and doctors respond well to the drug.
6. In severe cases of panic disorders, Paroxetine is also used. The instructions recommend prescribing it for depression accompanied by anxiety and fear, for various phobias and panic, even for suicidal disorders. This is also a rather expensive medicine, especially since its effect, like most antidepressants, appears after 2-3 weeks of use. But still, patients suffering from depression often use the drug Paroxetine. The instructions recommend taking it in the evening, as it has a pronounced sedative effect.

Overview of herbal antidepressants (without a prescription)

Antidepressants often include herbal sedatives, which are not antidepressants at all:

• Preparations of Valerian, Melissa, Peppermint, Motherwort
• Combined tablets - Novopassit, Persen, Tenoten - are sedatives that will not help with depression.

The only medicinal plant with antidepressant properties is St. John's wort and drugs based on it, which are prescribed for mild depressive conditions.

There is one thing: to eliminate the manifestations of depression, synthetic drugs, which are tens of times more effective than St. John's wort, have to be taken in courses of several months. Therefore, St. John's wort will have to be brewed, infused in kilograms, and consumed in liters, which, naturally, is inconvenient and impractical, although it can somewhat distract from sad thoughts about the frailty of all things during depression.

The pharmacological industry offers St. John's wort in tablet form without a prescription as a mild antidepressant (nootropic) for psychovegetative disorders, neurotic reactions, mild depressive states - these are Deprim, Neuroplant, Doppelhertz nervotonic, Negrustin, Gelarium. Since the active substance in the drugs is the same, the contraindications, side effects, and interactions with other drugs of these drugs are similar.

Tranquilizers

Such drugs are often prescribed as a sleeping aid for those who cannot sleep. And for depression, tranquilizers are an excellent way to cope with anxiety, relax and calm down. Most of them work within half an hour after taking them, so they are used during panic attacks or a nervous breakdown. The most popular drugs are from the benzodiazepine group: Phenazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Tofizepam and others. Some of them are better known under other names: “Seduxen”, “Relanium”, “Valium”.

They all relieve tension well, relax and help you fall asleep. Such drugs are indicated for anxiety, restlessness and panic. Often, even healthy people use them as sleeping pills, which should not be done without a doctor’s recommendation, as they quickly become addictive. But still, it is believed that the best sedative is Relanium or Phenazepam. Tranquilizers of other groups - Buspirone, Gedocarnil, Mebicar, Amizil and others, have a similar effect and are also used for anxiety, sleep disorders and muscle spasms. All such drugs cause drowsiness and relaxation, and also have many side effects, but there are many positive reviews about them.

How to lose weight after stopping antidepressants

In some cases, antidepressants act in the opposite direction, and while taking them the patient gains extra pounds. Tricyclic drugs pose the greatest danger, as they reduce the sensitivity of satiety receptors, forcing you to absorb large amounts of food.

There are also theories that talk about the effect of these drugs on metabolism, slowing it down.
Some experts suggest that an increase in appetite and the development of cellulite on the legs and thighs during use occurs due to an increase in mood and pleasure from eating sweet, high-calorie foods.
Some sedative tablets or capsules may cause inhibition. At the same time, physical activity decreases, which also leads to weight gain.

After this, the question arises of how to lose weight after taking antidepressants. The way out of this situation is to review the treatment method, change the type of drug or reduce its dosage. All this should be discussed with your doctor, and under no circumstances should you try to adjust the therapy yourself.

At the same time, it is recommended to exercise, walk, and revise the menu to increase fiber and reduce calories. It will not be superfluous to carry out an anti-cellulite massage or visit a sauna to remove toxins.

Other sedatives

1. The herbal medicine “Gelarium Hypericum” has a small number of side effects and is almost not addictive. But just like synthetic antidepressants, it can reduce symptoms of anxiety and irritability, relieve tension and improve mood.

2. “Glycine” is a rather weak but effective sedative. It is inexpensive and improves mood and normalizes sleep due to its effect on metabolism and blood circulation in the brain.

3. In recent years, it is believed that the best sedative is Afobazol. It has virtually no side effects and is not addictive. And its ability to effectively relieve anxiety and tension, normalize sleep and improve mood is what makes it so popular.

4. Motherwort has been used as a sleeping pill for many years. The sedative is quite effective and safe. And now it is also available in tablet form, which makes it more convenient to take.

“One tablet is enough!”

One LIFE 900 tablet contains a daily dose of 900 mg of dry extract of St. John's wort, which corresponds to the general WHO recommendations regarding the use of St. John's wort preparations for the treatment of depression (WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, 2004).

Thus, it is enough to take only 1 tablet of LIFE 900 per day, which is more convenient compared to the need for 3 doses a day, as is shown for other St. John's wort preparations.

This dosage regimen helps to increase patient adherence to treatment. It has been established that it is the dose of 900 mg that allows the drug based on St. John’s wort extract to successfully compete in effectiveness with standard synthetic antidepressants (Yavdak I.A., 2013).

The best sedatives for women

Both sexes are almost equally affected by depression. But women are slightly more likely to experience anxiety, fear and mental agitation and consult a doctor about this. Therefore, psychotherapists more often prescribe sedatives for women. Postpartum depression is quite common. At this time, the young mother needs psychological help, and often special medications. But not every sedative can be used for nursing women. Many of these drugs pass into breast milk and have a negative effect on the baby. Therefore, a woman or her family should definitely consult a doctor who can select the appropriate drug. In mild cases, it is enough to take herbal decoctions: chamomile, valerian, motherwort or mint. The use of homeopathic or herbal sedatives is also acceptable. Your doctor may advise:

— “Novopassit”, which quickly relaxes tense muscles, relieves anxiety and fear;

— instant “Hipp” tea in granules, which is a mild sedative;

- “Valerian” in tablets, because it calms well, but does not harm the child;

— “Persen”; this remedy is also a fairly safe homeopathic sedative.

You should not take any medications, even seemingly harmless ones, without consulting a doctor. In more severe cases of depression, a synthetic nursing sedative may sometimes be prescribed. Such antidepressants are used when the risk to the mother's health is greater than the risk to the baby. Many modern drugs practically do not pass into breast milk: Nortiriptyline, Fluoxetine, Venlafaxine or Sertraline.

Treatment with aromas

Aromatherapy is successfully used to treat chronic fatigue, stress, nervous tension, and depression. To conduct an aromatherapy session you will need an aroma lamp and essential oil. After dropping a few drops of oil into the aroma lamp, you need to lie down, close your eyes and relax. You can turn on quiet, calm music.

To relieve stress, relieve anxiety and eliminate headaches caused by overwork, lemon, orange, mint, cypress, rosewood, and juniper oils are suitable. To invigorate and raise vitality, oils of bergamot, jasmine, geranium, and sandalwood are used.

For relaxation, you can take nutmeg, juniper, incense, and vanilla oils. For stress and overexertion, oils of rosemary, cardamom, eucalyptus, neroli, and orange will be effective.

Side effects from taking such drugs

Generally, the negative effects are the same across different groups of depression medications. But they do not appear in all patients. If taking the drug causes any side effects, you should stop taking it and consult your doctor about changing the medication. What can the patient feel? Reactions may be as follows:

• nausea, dry mouth, stomach pain, or intestinal upset;
• insomnia, anxiety or irritation;
• drowsiness, fatigue or weakness;
• sweating, hives and itching;
• visual and hearing impairment;
• headaches or dizziness.

One of the most dangerous side effects is addiction to sedatives. It leads to the patient requiring an increasingly larger dose, and without the medicine he cannot sleep and constantly feels anxious. But this effect is observed mainly in those who do not follow the doctor’s recommendations and exceed the dosage of the medicine.

Reviews and conclusions

Reviews of the use of antidepressants in the fight against excess fat indicate that in some cases it is possible to get rid of several kilograms while taking them. But not everyone has this result. Many people note the lack of effect, and their weight remains at the same level. For some, the use of drugs leads to increased fat deposition.

From all that has been said, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. You should not take antidepressants every time you gain weight. They are prescribed by a doctor for bulimia or lack of appetite due to depression and anxiety.
2. The results of treatment with such drugs are still questionable. As statistics indicate, only when using pills it is possible to lose weight by no more than 2-4 kg in one month, and even then not always.
3. You cannot get rid of excess weight and cellulite on the hips, legs and other problem areas only with the use of drugs. It is necessary to simultaneously increase physical activity and reduce calorie intake in the daily diet.
4. Some drugs have the opposite effect, so if you gain weight during treatment for depression, you should consult your doctor about switching to another drug.
5. Some medications cause drowsiness. This can interfere with weight loss by reducing your desire to exercise.
6. Multiple side effects of drugs lead to health problems and even pose a danger to life. While taking it, tremor (trembling of the limbs), diarrhea or constipation, sleep disturbance, weakness, and tachycardia may develop.

Folk sedatives

Various home, non-drug treatments are also used for depression. They are especially effective in the initial stages of the disease. But even with prolonged depression, they can be used in conjunction with medications. The most famous folk sedatives are:

1. Drinks based on medicinal plants. They should be drunk like tea, and the patient should like their taste. These include:

- a citrus elixir that has a good relaxing effect; it is made from freshly squeezed orange juice, which is poured over crushed lemon balm leaves;

- decoctions and infusions of St. John's wort, effective against depression;

- Chamomile tea, decoctions of mint or motherwort are very calming.

2. Relaxing baths can be taken every other day before bed. The water should not be hot and comfortable for the patient. Here are some common bath compositions:

- fresh pine branches, cones and pine needles are boiled well for about 40 minutes, and then left for half a day; the strained infusion is poured into the bath;

- baths with a decoction of ginger, lavender or rosemary are useful;

- Soda baths are very relaxing.

3. Listening to music can cure many people from depression. Moreover, you can listen to both special works and the patient’s favorite ones. The music of Mozart and other classical works have a particularly healing effect. In addition, experts advise patients with depression to sing more.

4. Aromatherapy is also found to be very effective in treating depression. Your favorite aroma, reaching the brain, has a relaxing and calming effect. The most popular scents are jasmine, geranium, rose, chamomile and sandalwood.

List of new generation antidepressants

The most popular drugs today are from the group of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake blockers.

• Sertraline (Sirlift, Zoloft, Stimuloton) is the “gold standard” in the treatment of depression today. Other drugs are compared with it in terms of effectiveness. Preferred in the treatment of depression combined with overeating, obsessive disorders and anxiety.
• Venlafaxine (Venlaxor, Velaxin, Efevelon) - prescribed for depression against the background of more severe mental disorders (for example, schizophrenia).
• Paroxetine (Paxil, Rexetine, Adepress, Sirestill, Plizil) is effective for mood disorders, melancholy and inhibited depression. It also relieves anxiety and suicidal tendencies. Treats personality disorders.
• Opipramol is the best option for somatized and alcoholic depression, as it inhibits vomiting, prevents convulsions, and stabilizes the autonomic nervous system.
• Mild antidepressants are fluoxetine (Prozac), which are somewhat weaker but milder than other serotonin uptake inhibitors.

How to take sedatives correctly

Such medications are used only as prescribed by a doctor. But even in this case, you need to know the specifics of using antidepressants and tranquilizers.

• They should not be taken if there are problems with the liver, kidneys or heart.
• Most of these medications are taken in long courses. It is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations and ensure that the medication is taken without skipping and at the same time every day. It is especially important to gradually withdraw from the drug, otherwise withdrawal symptoms may occur, which are very unpleasant and often even more dangerous than the depression for which the drug was prescribed.
• Some antidepressants may lead to thoughts of suicide, excessive aggressiveness and hostility. These medications especially often affect children under 18 years of age. At the first appearance of such symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
• For patients who need to be more alert during the day, for example, due to the nature of their work or the need to drive a car, it is better to take sedatives that do not cause drowsiness.
• When taking most antidepressants, you must avoid drinking alcohol.
• No medicine alone can relieve a patient of a depressive disorder. Antidepressants only relieve some symptoms and help a person control their emotions. But you need to know that for a successful outcome of treatment you need to work on yourself, change your lifestyle and diet, and visit a psychotherapist.

Indications and contraindications for use

Tricyclics have found their use in the treatment of depression, or depression. They are prescribed for:

• anxiety or depression;
• panic attacks;
• involutional melancholy;
• depression of organic origin;
• somatogenic disorders;
• depressive states due to treatment with antipsychotics, which have a strong effect on the nervous system;
• manic-depressive psychosis;
• It is also possible to use it for preventive purposes, as after-treatment after taking other medications.

Some drugs with normal tolerability and a strong antidepressant effect, as well as a sedative effect, can often be used to treat diseases that arise along with neurotic disorders and depression.

Thus, when treated with Azafen, good results were observed in patients with depressive disorders and heart disease. The drug is also actively used in the treatment of mild alcoholic depression, which can occur with anxiety and lethargy.

Any antidepressants of this group are not recommended to be prescribed together with MAO inhibitors. You should wait 2-3 days after using them. Contraindications also include individual intolerance to this group of antidepressants.

Action and properties of antidepressants

One of the factors responsible for mental health is the normal functioning of biochemical processes in the brain involving 20 types of neurotransmitters, which include:

Effect of antidepressants
If for some reason the level of these neurotransmitters decreases, then depression appears, which causes not only anxiety and apathy, but also physical signs: fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, sleep disturbances.

Antidepressants have common properties. This concerns activity on the central nervous system. Any such drug affects the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain, and its effect on other organs is secondary. Basically, many drugs have their own characteristics.

The line of drugs includes drugs that provide hypnotic or invigorating effects. Side effects can affect almost any system and organ. This can be explained by the fact that the brain regulates the vital functions of the human body and all changes in work will affect the body as a whole.

Rules and features of taking TCAs

Typically, tricyclic depressants are prescribed for a long period of time: their use lasts 3-6 months or a year. Such long-term use is necessary to achieve stable remission. The dosage is increased gradually, starting with ¼ tablet over 4–5 days, then take ½ tablet for the same period of time, gradually moving to the full dosage.

A specialist takes a mentally disturbed person to the required dose. The body gets used to the medicine gradually, the person stops experiencing unpleasant sensations in the form of some “side effects”. Usually the medicine is taken in the morning after meals, with plenty of water. A different schedule is possible, it depends on the specific disease.

The therapeutic effect of taking TCAs accumulates gradually, so if after 2 weeks the client does not feel the result, then treatment should not be interrupted. You need to wait some more time to feel the desired effect. When to stop the drug is determined by a specialist. You should “go down” from antidepressants typical of the tricyclic group in a stepwise manner, as in the initial stages of treatment.

Attention: You should not stop treatment after feeling the first signs of improvement. Abrupt withdrawal has a negative impact on the body and can cause even more severe depression than the original version. This is irresponsible because the most dangerous outcome can be suicide.