ANTI-depressants are drugs that interfere with the functioning of the central nervous system.
Hence, it is of the utmost importance that one takes these drugs only under medical advice.
There are many contraindications of anti-depressants, i.
e.
, medical conditions in which such drugs should not be taken.
This report will use the example of Lexapro, the newest member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) group of drugs, to focus on the contraindications of anti-depressants.
Even a purely psychiatric patient has to be careful in the use of Lexapro because of its possible side-effects; so the case for caution in patients with certain prior conditions is all the more critical.
Doctors are usually reluctant to prescribe Lexapro to:
Use of Lexapro during pregnancy has also resulted in birth defects, including heart problems, in some babies.
However, the physician might have reason to administer a small dosage (10mg a day) of Lexapro if the mother's medical condition warrants treatment for the sake of normal foetal growth.
Finally, it's not all hope lost for patients with one or more of the contraindications for Lexapro.
There are many anti-depressants in the market, with different levels of efficacy and side-effects and the physician knows which anti-depressant would be best for patients with specific contraindications.
The thumb rule is: avoid self-medication.
Hence, it is of the utmost importance that one takes these drugs only under medical advice.
There are many contraindications of anti-depressants, i.
e.
, medical conditions in which such drugs should not be taken.
This report will use the example of Lexapro, the newest member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) group of drugs, to focus on the contraindications of anti-depressants.
Even a purely psychiatric patient has to be careful in the use of Lexapro because of its possible side-effects; so the case for caution in patients with certain prior conditions is all the more critical.
Doctors are usually reluctant to prescribe Lexapro to:
- Patients with suicidal tendencies: Lexapro takes around two weeks to show a discernible effect.
During this period, the patient's condition may seem to deteriorate, heightening suicidal tendencies in patients who have earlier contemplated suicide. - Patients at a risk for bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder is a combination of depression and mania.
The history of the patient's psychiatry history, including family history, should be screened to determine if there is a risk of bipolar disorder.
If the risk exists, Lexapro must not be administered. - Patients on Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) treatment: Lexapro is incompatible with MAOI drugs.
A combination of the two can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, reaction.
Therefore, Lexapro must not be administered to patients on MAOI therapy until at least 14 days have elapsed from the disontinuation of MAOI medication.
- Patients with concomitant illness: Though not much data is available on this, the medical fraternity is usually cautious in prescribing Lexapro to patients with severe renal impairment.
Use of Lexapro during pregnancy has also resulted in birth defects, including heart problems, in some babies.
However, the physician might have reason to administer a small dosage (10mg a day) of Lexapro if the mother's medical condition warrants treatment for the sake of normal foetal growth.
Finally, it's not all hope lost for patients with one or more of the contraindications for Lexapro.
There are many anti-depressants in the market, with different levels of efficacy and side-effects and the physician knows which anti-depressant would be best for patients with specific contraindications.
The thumb rule is: avoid self-medication.
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