NaSSAs - Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant

Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant, or NaSSA's as they are known, are a modern type of anti-depressant that is being used in some cases instead of the more traditional anti depressants such as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI's) and Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI's).

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To the end user, the patient, there may not appear to be much difference between the three classes of drug. They are all anti-depressants, they are all taken daily over a long period of time, they have all had a bad press at some time or other and can all cause unpleasant side-effects. In fact the drugs work on different receptors, effecting the balance of different neurotransmitters in the brain. NaSSA's work on adrenergic receptors which can help to increase levels of both Serotonin and norepinephrine, which is also known as noradrenaline.

So could this newer type of anti-depressant be for you? Well, it might be but it is hard to tell. Anti-depressants effect different people in different ways. Some people react very well to the older kinds, and others have to stop the same drug due to horrendous side effects. There are many many anti-depressants on the market and each individual patient will have their preferences. Clinical trials have shown, however, that the newer NaSSA's seem to have a better side effect profile in terms of sexual dysfunction, which is something SSRI's are almost synonymous with. So if you need an anti-depressant and medication induced sexual dysfunction has been a problem in the past then it might well be worth asking your doctor about NaSSA's. I would add however that many people who experience side effects, including sexual dysfunction, when first embarking on a course of anti-depressants would do well to persevere while of course keeping in contact with their doctor. In my experience the worst side effects pass in the first few weeks. It's not true for everyone though.

Other things to be aware of include the fact that newer drugs tend to be more expensive. This may effect you if you have medical insurance or if your country has a national health service that hesitates to provide expensive medication.

For details of how other drugs are used to treat anxiety, panic attacks and depression please go to the drugs page.

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• fluoxetine Prozac

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