Antidepressants, specific agents venlafaxine

In summary, although it is difficult to recommend a specific agent for long-term maintenance, because of compliance, convenience, and safety reasons, the newer antidepressants (e.g., SSRls, venlafaxine] appear to be agents of first choice. Because the long-term database for these agents is less extensive than that for TCAs, further studies are indicated. 

Problems and side effects associated with buspirone include dizziness, headache, nausea, and restlessness. Antidepressants such as paroxetine and venlafaxine also produce a number of side effects (described in Chapter 7) depending on the specific agent. Nonetheless, these newer, nonbenzodiazepine... 

Nefazodone has some unusual pharmacological properties, not only inhibiting serotonin uptake, but also blocking the 5-HT 2a receptor. It may be that the antidepressant effect of serotonin agents is due to mediation of 5-HT transmission in the absence (or even the blockade) of 5-HT2a transmission. As a result of these actions, nefazodone is even more specific in terms of affecting a subtype of serotonin receptor than are the SSRIs or venlafaxine. 

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