Deprax 100 mg: characteristics and effects of this psychotropic drug

A summary of the characteristics and functions of the Antidepressant Deptrax 100 mg.

Deptrax 100 mg is an antidepressant drug that has proven to be which has proved to be, besides 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.

Next we will see more in depth this drug, what it is used for, how it acts, its side effects and its precautions.

What is Deprax 100 mg?

Deprax 100 mg is a second-generation antidepressant drug. Its active ingredient is trazodone and it is prescribed to treat 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 serotonin reuptake (SSRI), and has anxiolytic and hypnotic effects.

The main benefit of this drug is that it is highly effective during the first week of administration and, for this reason, it became very popular. In addition, unlike many antidepressants, it does not promote weight gain. As it is a cheap drug it became widely used during the 1970s and 1980s..

But, as with 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 researched and used in the clinic, it has been seen that this drug is more effective in small doses, it is not addictive but, even so, the patient who takes it should be monitored, especially if there has been suicidal ideation..

What is it used for?

Deprax 100 mg is an antidepressant, so it is not surprising to know that it is mainly used for mood disorders. Also, because of its sedative and hypnotic its sedative and hypnotic effectsIt is also used to treat various sleep-related problems, as well as helping to reduce pain associated with chronic diseases, such as fibromyalgia. Among the main conditions for which it is administered we have:

• Clinical depression, with or without anxiety.
• Chronic insomnia.
• Excessive worry.
• Fibromyalgia with difficulty falling asleep.
• Nightmares and other sleep disorders.
• Schizophrenia.
• Alcoholism.

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 trauma. Whatever the condition for which it is used, the drug should never be taken without the supervision of a psychiatrist, as it could be counterproductive.Besides, 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 a serotonin reuptake antagonist and inhibitor, specifically by antagonizing the 5-HT2 receptor..

It is by acting on this receptor that this drug treats 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 transporter proteins, blocking them. This is a negative effect, since it can lead to a wide range of side effects which, although in most cases are the least serious, can bother the patient sufficiently to prevent him from continuing 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, in many occasions they appear either because the dose is not adequate 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 drugs..

Among the main side effects of this drug we find:

• Fluid retention
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Dry mouth, nausea and vomiting
• Rashes and itching of the skin
• Sweating and tremors
• Feeling of confusion, restlessness...
• Tachycardia
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Increased appetite
• Flu-like symptoms
• Blood dyscrasias
• Allergic reactions
• Syndrome of inadequate antidiuretic hormone secretion
• Hyponatremia
• Suicidal behavior or ideation
• Confusion and disorientation
• Insomnia, drowsiness and nightmares.
• Headache, vertigo and dizziness
• Seizures
• Disorientation
• Mania and hallucinations
• Anxiety, agitation and nervousness
• Decreased libido
• Withdrawal syndrome
• Serotonergic syndrome
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Cardiac arrhythmias, bradycardia and tachycardia
• Orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, syncope.

Although of this long list of side effects the ones most likely to manifest themselves are the less serious ones, it should be said that this is not always the case. This is why it is so important to take the drug in the doses prescribed by the psychiatrist, in addition to respecting the frequency of its intake. As with most drugs, the higher the dosage, the more likely it is that you will experience side effects. and, also, there may be extremely serious reactions that can end the patient's life.

Precautions and contraindications

As with most drugs, Deprax 100 mg is contraindicated in case 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 intoxication. Neither can this drug be administered to people who are allergic to trazodone. Among the particular precautions we have:

1. Minors

Trazodone and any derivative 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 behavior and suicidal behavior have been observed. There are also no long-term safety data available regarding growth and behavioral and cognitive maturation in children and adolescents treated with the drug.

2. Interactions

Deprax 100 mg may increase its sedative effect when interacting with alcohol, antipsychotics, hypnotics, sedatives, anxiolytics and antihistamines.. Its effect is also increased when interacting with erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, indinavir and nefazodone. On the other hand, its effect decreases when interacting with carbamazepine.

In turn, trazodone increases the effect of muscle relaxants and volatile anesthetics. When consuming this substance together with tricyclic antidepressants, there is a risk of serotonergic syndrome. It increases its toxicity when combined with Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort).

3. Pregnancy

Animal studies do not indicate harmful effects during pregnancy nor does it 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 to the fetus and the evolution of the pregnancy should be assessed. If this drug has been used during the entire pregnancy, the health of the newborn should be monitored to see if any withdrawal symptoms are occurring.

Similarly, there are data suggesting that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, especially in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn. The observed risk associated with these drugs is 5 cases per 1,000 pregnancies, whereas in the general population this syndrome occurs in 1 or 2 per 1,000 births.

4. Breastfeeding

It is not known whether trazodone and its metabolites are excreted in breast milk, but the risk of this being the case should be assessed and the need for breast-feeding the baby should be evaluated in case the mother has to take the drug.

5. Use of heavy machinery

As Deprax 100 mg may cause sedation and dizziness, it is not recommended to operate heavy machinery or drive after taking it, at the risk of having an accident. Also It also affects cognitive speedTherefore, it is not recommended to do any activity that requires concentration.

6. Suicidal thoughts

One of the problems of Deprax 100 mg has to do with one of the main symptoms of depression: suicidal thoughts and behavior. In case the patient has expressed his intention to harm himself, once the drug has been administered, he should be monitored.. It may happen that the drug has no therapeutic effect after a few weeks, which may cause the patient to despair that it is not working, become disillusioned and decide to end his or her 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 may evolve from manic-depressive psychosis to a manic phase.. In these cases Deprax 100 mg should be withdrawn.

8. Elderly people

Elderly people are more at risk of experiencing orthostatic hypotension, drowsiness and other anticholinergic effects of trazodone. Syncope may also occur.

Literature references:

• Haria M, Fitton A, McTavish D (1994). Trazodone. A review of its pharmacology, therapeutic use in depression and therapeutic potential in other disorders. Drugs Aging 4 (4): 331-55. PMID 8019056. doi:10.2165/00002512-199404040-00006
• Le Bon O; Murphy JR; Staner L; Hoffmann G; Kormoss N; Kentos M; Dupont P; Lion K; Pelc I; Verbanck P (2003). Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of trazodone in alcohol post-withdrawal syndrome: polysomnographic and clinical evaluations. J Clin Psychopharmacol 23 (4): 377-83. PMID 12920414. doi:10.1097/01.jcp.0000085411.08426.d3