I recommend selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as the first intervention for your moderate depression. These drugs are ideal because they exhibit fewer side effects than other antidepressant drugs (Chu & Wadhwa, 2022). Additionally, SSRIs can be effectively combined with different therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavior therapy, in treating depression. The mode of operation of SSRIs involves increasing brain serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that links various nerve cells in the brain (Chu & Wadhwa, 2022). This transmitter tends to influence your emotions, moods, and sleep. Low serotonin levels tend to cause depression by influencing the development of negative emotions and moods and depriving you of sleep. This is why you wake up every 4 a.m. even though you feel tired. SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain by inhibiting their reabsorption into the nerve cells after relaying signals. SSRIs are metabolized in the liver through hepatic oxidative metabolism by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (Visco et al., 2018). Metabolized SSRIs have a half-life of between 20 and 24 hours (Visco et al., 2018). The excretion of these drugs takes at least two days for a single dose and four days for multiple doses.
You will begin your medication with a single dose until observable changes are reported. The drugs take at least 2 to 4 weeks to feel substantive benefits (Anagha et al., 2021). Expect mild side effects such as diarrhea, dizziness, and blurred vision. However, these side effects tend to disappear quickly and should not stop you from taking medicine. In case they persist, please report to the nurse for examination. Avoid alcohol when taking the medication because you may develop unpleasant side effects (Anagha et al., 2021). Besides, you should avoid driving since you may develop blurred vision, increasing the risk of getting involved in an accident. Furthermore, avoid taking any other medication without a doctor’s advice to prevent severe side effects such as bleeding.
References
Anagha, K., Shihabudheen, P., & Uvais, N. A. (2021). Side effect Profiles of Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors: A cross-sectional study in a naturalistic setting.The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 23(4), 35561. Web.
Chu, A., & Wadhwa, R. (2022). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. Web.
Visco, D. B., Manhaes-de-Castro, R., Chaves, W. F., Lacerda, D. C., da Conceição Pereira, S., Ferraz-Pereira, K. N., & Toscano, A. E. (2018). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors affect structure, function, and metabolism of skeletal muscle: a systematic review. Pharmacological Research, 136, 194-204.