ANTIDEPRESSANT:Antidepressants are drugs that treat the symptoms of depression. Types: There are three main types of antidepressant: selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and related drugs, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
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There are also other drugs that do not fall into these categories.Antidepressants work by changing the level of certain chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. Normally, these chemicals pass signals from one brain cell to another, but in depression, some of them do not work properly. Antidepressants increase the level of active neurotransmitters.Treatment with antidepressants usually starts with a TCA or SSRI. It takes about 2-3 weeks for the drugs to start working, and 4-6 weeks for them to fully take effect. If you are elderly, it may take longer for antidepressants to start working, and up to eight weeks for them to work fully.. Use:Antidepressants are taken for a range of different conditions, including: Moderate to severe depression. Severe anxiety and panic attacks. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Chronic (long-term) pain. Eating disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder
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Side Effects: Antidepressants can cause some side effects: drowsiness, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. However, this usually settles down as you get used to the drug.Antidepressants often have to be taken for a long time, and it is important to come off them slowly to prevent side effects. |
| NSAIDS: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs , are the most prescribed medications for treating conditions such as arthritis. NSAIDs are more than just pain relievers. They also help reduce inflammation and lower fevers. They prevent blood from clotting, which is good in some cases but not so beneficial in others. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs or NAIDs , are drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects - they reduce pain, fever and inflammation. The term "non-steroidal" is used to distinguish these drugs from steroids, which have a similar eicosanoid-depressing, anti-inflammatory action. As analgesics, NSAIDs are unusual in that they are non-narcotic. NSAIDs are sometimes also referred to as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents/analgesics (NSAIAs) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIMs). The most prominent members of this group of drugs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen partly because they are available over-the-counter in many areas. |
| Mode of action: Most NSAIDs act as non-selective inhibitors of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, inhibiting both the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoenzymes. |
Uses: NSAIDs are usually indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic conditions where pain and inflammation are present. Research continues into their potential for prevention of colorectal cancer, and treatment of other conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.NSAIDs are generally indicated for the symptomatic relief of the following conditions: |
Aspirin, the only NSAID able to irreversibly inhibit COX-1, is also indicated for inhibition of platelet aggregation.; an indication useful in the management of arterial thrombosis and prevention of adverse cardiovascular events.It shows inhibition of platelet aggregation because it inhibits the action of thromboxane -A. Pharmacokinetics: Most NSAIDs are weak acids, with a pKa of 3-5. They are absorbed well from the stomach and intestinal mucosa. They are highly protein-bound in plasma , usually to albumin, so that their volume of distribution typically approximates to plasma volume. Most NSAIDs are metabolised in the liver by oxidation and conjugation to inactive metabolites which are typically excreted in the urine, although some drugs are partially excreted in bile. Metabolism may be abnormal in certain disease states, and accumulation may occur even with normal dosage. |
Adverse effects:The two main adverse drug reactions associated with NSAIDs relate to gastrointestinal (GI) effects and renal effects of the agents.These effects are dose-dependent, and in many cases severe enough to pose the risk of ulcer perforation, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and death, limiting the use of NSAID therapy. |
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