Deprax 100 Mg: Characteristics And Effects Of This Psychotropic Drug
Deptrax 100 mg is an antidepressant drug which has turned out to be, in addition to being effective, very economical and not associated with weight gain. It was discovered in the middle of the last century and, in a matter of very few years, its consumption became popular.
It is a drug that acts by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, since it is a derivative of trazodone, and has anxiolytic and hypnotic effects.
Below we will look at this drug in more depth, what it is used for, how it works, its side effects and its precautions.
Deprax 100 mg is a second generation antidepressant drug. Its active ingredient is trazodone and it is prescribed to treat, above all, chronic depression, insomnia and anxiety It was invented in Italy in 1961 when a pharmacological alternative to first-generation depressants was being sought. Chemically it belongs to the phenylpiperazine family, its mechanism of action acts by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin (SSRI), and has anxiolytic and hypnotic effects.
The main benefit of this drug is its great effectiveness during the first week of administration and, for this reason, it became very popular. Additionally, unlike many antidepressants, this one does not promote weight gain. How is it a cheap drug? Its consumption ended up becoming very widespread during the 70s and 80s
But, like any drug, it also has its disadvantages, among which are its side effects. It can cause orthostatic hypotension, that is, a drop in blood pressure when the person stands up. As it has been investigated and used in the clinic, it has been seen that this drug is more effective in small doses, it is not addictive but, equally, The patient who consumes it should be monitored, especially if there has been suicidal ideation
For what do you use it?
Deprax 100 mg is an antidepressant, so it is not surprising to know that it is mainly used for mood disorders. Also, due to its sedative and hypnotic effects , is used to treat various sleep-related problems, in addition to helping reduce pain associated with chronic diseases, such as fibromyalgia. Among the main conditions for which it is administered we have:
It has also been prescribed in people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Improvement has been seen in these patients, especially reducing symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares and high anxiety associated with the trauma. Whatever condition it is used for, You can never consume the drug without the supervision of a psychiatrist in addition to the fact that it could be counterproductive since research seems to indicate that this drug is more effective at low doses than at high doses.
How does Deprax work?
As we mentioned, Deprax 100 mg (trazodone) is a second generation drug, specifically an SSRI. This drug acts as an antagonist and inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, specifically antagonizing the 5-HT2 receptor
It is by acting on this receptor that this drug is explained to treat anxiety and depression. Unlike Prozac, Deprax 100 mg is a chemical compound belonging to the phenylpiperazine family.
However, in addition to acting on the 5-HT2 receptor, it also acts on alpha adrenergic receptors and serotonin transport proteins, blocking them. This is a negative effect, since it can lead to a wide range of side effects that, although in most cases the less serious ones occur, can bother the patient enough for them to not continue with the treatment.
Side effects
No drug is free of side effects, and Deprax 100 mg was not going to be an exception
Not all people have to manifest them and, in fact, on many occasions they appear either because the dose is not appropriate or because the patient already had a previous condition that has influenced the therapeutic effect of the drug. They may also be due to an interaction of Deprax with other substances, such as alcohol or other medications
Among the main side effects of this drug we find:
Although of this long list of side effects the ones most likely to manifest are the least serious, it should be said that this is not always the case. This is why it is so important to consume the drug in the doses that the psychiatrist has prescribed, in addition to respecting the frequency of taking it. As with most drugs, The higher the dose, the more likely you are to experience side effects and, also, there can be extremely serious reactions that end the patient’s life.
As with most drugs, Deprax 100 mg is contraindicated if the person has liver, heart or kidney problems This drug cannot be administered to people who have suffered an acute myocardial infarction or if they are suffering from alcohol or hypnotic poisoning. This drug also cannot be administered to people who are allergic to trazodone. Among the particular precautions we have:
1. Minors
Trazodone and any derivative It should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age This is because, in clinical studies in which antidepressants have been administered to this population, suicidal behaviors and suicidal behavior have been observed. There are also no long-term safety data regarding the growth and behavioral and cognitive maturation of children and adolescents treated with the drug.
2. Interactions
Deprax 100 mg It may increase its sedative effect when interacting with alcohol, antipsychotics, hypnotics, sedatives, anxiolytics and antihistamines Its effect is also increased by interacting with erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, indinavir and nefazodone. On the other hand, its effect decreases by interacting with carbamazepine.
In turn, trazodone increases the effect of muscle relaxants and volatile anesthetics. When consuming this substance accompanied by tricyclic antidepressants, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome. Its toxicity increases when combined with Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort)
3. Pregnancy
Studies carried out in animals do not indicate harmful effects during pregnancy nor do they appear to affect or deform the embryo/fetus. It has not been related to difficulties in childbirth or postnatal development, as long as the drug has been administered at therapeutic doses.
However, as a precautionary measure, It is preferable not to use Deprax 100 mg or any other trazodone derivative during pregnancy If necessary, the benefits and risks on the fetus and the evolution of the pregnancy will have to be assessed. If this drug has been used throughout the pregnancy, the health of the newborn should be monitored, seeing if any symptoms of withdrawal syndrome are occurring.
Likewise, there is data that suggests that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, especially in the final stage, can increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the neonate. The observed risk associated with these drugs is 5 cases per 1,000 pregnancies, while in the general population this syndrome occurs in 1 or 2 of every 1,000 births.
4. Breastfeeding
It is not known whether trazodone and its metabolites are excreted in breast milk, but The risk of this must be assessed and whether it is necessary to breastfeed the baby in case the mother must take the drug.
5. Use of heavy machinery
As Deprax 100 mg can cause sedation and dizziness, it is not recommended that, after consumption, you operate heavy machinery or drive, at the risk of having an accident. Also affects cognitive speed which is why it is not recommended to do any activity that involves concentration.
6. Suicidal thoughts
One of the problems with Deprax 100 mg has to do with one of the main symptoms of depression: suicidal behavior and thoughts. If the patient has expressed his intention to harm himself, once the drug has been administered, he should be monitored It may be the case that the drug does not have therapeutic effects after a few weeks, which can cause the patient to despair, thinking that it is not working for them, becoming disillusioned and deciding to end their life.
7. Psychotic disorders
The administration of antidepressants in people with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders can worsen their symptoms, intensifying paranoid thoughts. During treatment with trazodone The depressive phase can evolve from manic-depressive psychosis to a manic phase In these cases Deprax 100 mg must be withdrawn.
8. Seniors
Elderly people are at greater risk of experiencing orthostatic hypotension, drowsiness, and other anticholinergic effects of trazodone. Syncope may also occur.
