Formulary Monographs [ANTIDEPRESSANTS, <a href="drug_notes

Formulary Monographs [ANTIDEPRESSANTS, 2817]

Active Ingredient	ANTIDEPRESSANTS
Therapeutic Code	2817
Therapeutic Class	ANTIDEPRESSANTS
Indications
Caution
Dose Range
Drug Interactions
Pregnancy
Breast Feeding
Drug Note	General Indications Loss of energy and drive, guilt feelings and persistent feelings of sadness and depression. General side -Effects Anticholinergic - dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention (especially in prostate hyper- trophy), constipation and confusional states. Tachycardia and static hypotension is particularly troublesome in the elderly. Sexual dysfunction may take the form of decreased libido, impaired erection or ejaculation. Weight gain is often seen and many of these patients develop a high frequency tremor. The initial dosage for the elderly should be about one third that used for the young adult. Interactions The tricyclics antagonize the action of the adrenergic neurone blocking drugs, e.g. guanethidine, anti-hypertensive effects with sudden rise in blood pressure. They may induce or aggravatecardiac arrythymias.