I am going to my doc who wants to put me on an antidepressant.
He put me on Zoloft which I did not tolerate well at all. He likes me to put input into things, and I would like to have an idea of which antidepressant for my panic attacks would be. He of course would make the final descion, but he does ask my opinion.
Any expierences out there?
Zoloft is an SSRI. All SSRIs cause some problems in the first month of treatment. They include:
nausea
drowsiness
headache
changes in weight and appetite
changes in sexual behaviour
increased feelings of depression and anxiety
tremors
increased sweating
But they will disappear after 1 month. SSRIs work differently in people. It is not able to predict which one will suit you best. You may have to try different drugs before you stick on to one.
SSRIs are:
(Trade names in parentheses)
citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Emocal, Sepram)
escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro, Cipralex, Esertia)
fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Seromex, Seronil, Sarafem, Fluctin (EUR))
fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox, Faverin)
paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax, Deroxat)
sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Serlain)
Paroxetine has more approved indications than others but Fluoxetine is the long acting one. If you are a male you must select one with a shorter halflife (paroxetine or fluvoxamine) because you will be able to take drug holidays if you develop a sexual dysfunction later. All SSRIs cause sexual dysfunction in men.
Bupropion (amfebutamone) (brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban) is a different type of antidepressant. It is safer than SSRIs and doesn’t cause sexual side effects. Bupropion lowers seizure threshold but an extended release version of this drug is very safe. New studies show that Bupropion XL can be used for panic disorders.
Mirtazapine is also a safe drug without any sexual side effects that can be used for Panic Disorders. This drug may cause weight gain and it is sedative in low doses (a unique property of mirtazapine).
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressants
Select a drug which suits best to you.