Guide picks its way through anti-depressant minefield

Mental Health Nursing,  May/Jun 2002  

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Depression Alliance has published a free guide for patients called Depression & Antidepressants, backed by an educational grant from Organon Laboratories. One in five people in the UK suffer from depression at some point during their lifetime and the guide provides practical, impartial information about anti-depressants currently available. It comes in the light of recent media coverage about the side effects of certain antidepressants

The booklet provides answers to commonly asked patient questions such as: How well do anti-depressants work? Are some anti-depressants better than others? And don't antidepressants have unpleasant side effects? The guide reviews the use of different classes of anti-depressant - from older MAOIs and TCAs to SSRIs and newer types of drugs such as dual-acting NaSS.As. Each class is reviewed for its efficacy, safety and side effects and possible drug interactions - avoiding the use of technical jargon.

Commenting on the new booklet, Stephen Bazire, director of pharmacy services, Norfolk Mental Health Care Trust said: "Depression is eminently treatable with anti-depressants. About 60 per cent of people respond to their first antidepressant and 45 per cent need to move on to a second antidepressant due to lack of efficacy or side effects.

"It is imperative that patients, their families and friends are provided with as much information as possible, and in an easy-to-digest format and impartial manner. This guide will prove extremely useful."

National Depression Week is a time when organisations and charities join together to focus public, political and media attention on depression.

Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people with depression. It works to relieve and to prevent the condition by providing information, support and understanding to those who are affected by it. It also campaigns to raise awareness amongst the general public about the realities of depression.

Organon, makers of Zispin (Mirtazapine), has been actively involved in the development of antidepressants since the 1960s. Mirtazapine is the first Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant (NaSSA) and is a dual-acting anti-depressant.

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association May/Jun 2002
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