Brintellix: uses and effects of this drug
This psychotropic drug is used especially in cases of major depression.
The evolution in the field of pharmacology does not stop, and new drugs are constantly appearing. In the area of neurology, there are several alternatives on the market to help in the treatment of mental illnesses.
Brintellix, for example, is a drug belonging to the Antidepressant family.. This drug has shown quite good effectiveness in the treatment of major depression.
In this article we will review what are the uses and effects of Brintellix, we will see its contraindications and side effects, and we will talk about the indications for an efficient consumption of this drug.
What is Brintellix?
This drug is responsible for inhibiting the absorption of serotonin in the body, which can be beneficial for people affected by a depressive disorder.which can translate into benefits for people affected by a depressive disorder.
As mentioned above, due to the potency of this drug, it is one of the most prescribed in cases of patients affected by major depression.
Serotonin, among other functions, is in charge of regulating people's moods when the raphe nuclei, which are located in the brain stem, do not secrete enough of this neurotransmitter and the subject is immersed in a depressive state of organic origin.
What Brintellix does is to increase the flow of available serotonin, thus contributing to the patient's mood stability.
One of the advantages of this drug, in comparison with other alternatives that exist in the market, is its high degree of tolerability in the organism, and besides being useful to stabilize the person's mood, it also works very well to treat the cognitive wear and tear of major depression. works very well to treat the cognitive wear of major depression..
Before the appearance of this drug on the market, the alternatives most commonly used by specialists to treat depression were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on the one hand, and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) on the other.
Inhibitory methods are generally used when the depression is not so severe, but if the subject does not respond well to this treatment, it can be used to treat depression. if the subject does not respond well to this treatment, Brintellix may be indicated as a fairly effective alternative..
Difference with inhibitor treatments
What fundamentally differentiates these drugs is their degree of action. While the inhibitors are limited only to prevent certain cells of the brain from absorbing serotonin (SSRI), so that it can be better used by the brain structures that need it to stabilize the subject emotionally, Brintellix has multiple functions.
Apart from acting as a selective serotonin inhibitor (SSRI), it also functions as a regulator of the brain structures that need it to stabilize the subject emotionally, it also functions as a regulator of the activity of specific serotonin receptors..
Specialists in the field of neuroscience who are familiar with this drug express that this duality in the functioning of Brintellix is what makes it so effective for the specific treatment of major depressive disorder.
In short, this drug serves both antidepressant and anxiolytic functions.It also reduces the symptoms of cognitive impairment of major depression. But like all medications, it is necessary to be responsible with its administration, to avoid some of the contraindications that could occur if it is used improperly.
Side effects
The side effects of this medication vary in their degree of seriousness. It could happen that they only generate a temporary discomfort for the subject, as it can also happen that he/she has to be hospitalized due to them.
Let's see some of these side effects according to their degree of severity.
1. Mild side effects
These side effects do not generate a clinically significant alert for the patient.
- Dry mouth.
- Lack of sexual appetite.
- Diarrhea and vomiting.
- Gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Dizziness and nausea.
- Nightmares.
2. Severe side effects
These side effects of Brintellix are severe. In case of any of these, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
- Dermatological alterations.
- Swelling of the face, or specific areas of the face, including the tongue.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Problems to eat, due to a difficulty to swallow.
- Headaches.
- Hallucinations and loss of consciousness.
- Fainting spells.
If signs other than these occur, but which may be related to the length of time the drug has been taken, you should also stop taking the drug and see a doctor immediately.
Efficient consumption
To avoid the aforementioned side effects, you should talk openly with your doctor and mention if you have any particular condition, such as allergies of any kind, or if you are taking any other drug, regardless of whether it is prescribed or not. Especially if they are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drugs, since the effect that consuming the two drugs simultaneously would have on the organism would be detrimental.
Regarding pregnancyThe effects of this drug are harmful to newborns, this drug should not be prescribed if there is a pregnancy involved or if the patient plans to be pregnant in the short term.
(Updated at Apr 15 / 2024)