Use and side effects of Oxat tablets

Oxat is an Indian brand of SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) medication paroxetine. It is prescribed for major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders.

Oxat 20mg tablets

Unlike other anti-depressants it is especially prescribed for breastfeeding mothers due to low concentration of the medication in breast milk.

This medication has side effects common to SSRI class medications such as nausea, heartburn and headache.

Heartburn is a common side effect of this medication

In addition, compared to other SSRI medications, it can cause more fetal malformations. Therefore, this medication is not prescribed in pregnancy.

Therefore, breast feeding mothers should use appropriate contraception when using this medication. It is because, breast feeding period is one of the commonest periods a woman can get accidentally pregnant.

What are the uses of Oxat?

This medication is usually prescribed for major depressive disorder, panic disorder obsessive compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders.

Major depression is characterized by persistent low mood, lack of energy to do day to day tasks, and lack of pleasure and enjoyment of previously pleasurable activities that is lasting for more than 2 weeks.

This medication prescribed frequently for depressed patiennts

 

This medication commonly prescribed for Depression after childbirth.

Panic and other anxiety disorders are usually characterized by inappropriate anxiety (“a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”) that can result in severe impairment in productivity of the affected person.

Panic disorder can be treated with Oxat

In addition, Oxat is effective in obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). Obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by inappropriately repetitive behavior which is senseless and resisted by the individual. e.g Washing hands repeatedly even though the person knows it is useless.

Repetitive, useless, actions that are not pleasurable are characteristic of OCD such as repetitive hand washing

As mentioned earlier Oxat is preferred antidepressant for breastfeeding mothers because this medication excreted minimally into breast milk.

Due to possible documented harmful effects on the developing fetus, it is not recommended to use in pregnancy.

These are the common side effects of Oxat

1.     Nausea

2.     Heartburn

3.     Headache

4.     Loss of appetite

5.     Sexual dysfunction

6.     Yawning

7.     Abnormal dreams

8.     Sleep problems

9.     Increased blood cholesterol

Nausea and vomiting can be common side effects

These are the rare side effects of this medication

1.     Heart problems

2.     Documented harm to the developing baby when the mother takes this medication.

3.     Initial aggravation of anxiety when it is prescribed for anxiety disorders. Therefore, doctors prescribe usually prescribe low doses at the initial period of illness. But this effect usually goes off after the body gets used to the medication.

4.     Allergic reactions including hives, itchiness and edema of lips.  

5.     Risk of getting mania (Opposite spectrum of depression where excessive energy, elevated self-esteem that can result in severe disruption in activities)

6.     Reduced sodium levels in the blood

7.     Can get increased risk of bleeding. A common side effect of SSRI medications.

8.     Serotonin syndrome

Usually most of the side effects go off after some time.

But side effects such as sexual dysfunction, may persist. It is characterized by erectile dysfunction in men and reduced sexual desire in females.

In addition, this medication can cause delayed ejaculation. Sometimes it can be used in patients with premature ejaculation.

Since depression can also cause sexual dysfunction, some men will experience elevated sexual activity when they get out of depression.

In anxiety disorders, at the initial period of treatment, this medication can cause elevated anxiety. This usually wanes over time.  

How Oxat is prescribed?

This medication is available as tablets. Usual dose range is 10mg – 40mg. Usually patients with obsessive compulsive disorder receives highest doses

This medication should be taken after a meal to minimize side effects.

What the doctor should know before prescribing this medication

1.     Whether you have bipolar affective disorder

2.     Liver problems

3.     Kidney problems

4.     Pregnancy status (should not be given in first three months of pregnancy)

5.     Having excessive bleeding problems

6.     Gastritis

"If you are a woman in reproductive age then this medication should be taken with adequate contraception to prevent exposure to baby. "

Summary

Oxat is a SSRI class medication prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders. Most common side effects are nausea, heart burn and sexual dysfunction. This medication should not be given for pregnant women, even though it is recommended for breast feeding mothers.

Clofranil use and side effects

Clofranil is a brand of Clomipramine. It is prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder and depressive disorder. Main side effects are drowsiness, feeling faintish, dry mouth and constipation. This is a TCA class antidepressant with more serotonergic actions than other TCA antidepressants. More serotonergic action makes this medication more similar to SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) class medication and it is more effective in OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder).

Clofranil 50mg tablets

Uses of Clofranil

This medication is an antidepressant. It is primarily used for mental health problems such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Compared to other antidepressants in this class, this medication is more effective in OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder.

This medication is useful in treating OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder)

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental health problem associated with repeated thoughts or actions that are resisted.  A common example is excessive hand washing in a patient with repetitive belief that his/her hands are contaminated by germs. Usually excessive means around more than 10 times of washing hands per session. Usually the compulsion or act starts once the patient gets the thought that his hands are dirty.  

In fact, in current psychiatry practice it is used as a medication for OCD than depression. Most doctors use it as a second line treatment option for OCD, due to its unfavorable side effects profile. But according to this author's experience this medication helps patients who are resistant to SSRI medications.

What are the common side effects of Clofranil?

1. Drowsiness
2. Dry mouth
3. Constipation
4. Increased heart rate
5. Feeling faintish
6. Confusion
7. Nausea
8. Headache
9. Yawning
10. Blurred vision
11. Sexual dysfunction

Since this is a TCA (Tricyclic antidepressant) class medication, drowsiness and dry mouth is common. Usually SSRI medications do not cause such side effects.

Due to side effect of drowsiness, it will affect driving and ability to operate machinery.

Sexual dysfunction includes erectile dysfunction in males and reduced sexual desire in females.

What are the dangerous side effects?

1. Urine retention
2. Glaucoma or increased eye pressure
3. Heart block
4. Mania

Since this medication can cause serious heart problems (heart block) it is toxic when taken overdose. Therefore, it is prescribed carefully for highly suicidal patients. This medication can cause manic shift in patients with bipolar affective disorder. Urine retention can be a troublesome side effect in elderly patients.

What are rare but documented side effects of Clofranil?

1. Breast enlargement
2. Increased appetite with increased body weight
3. Getting low sodium in the blood (Hyponatremia)
4. Hallucinations
5. Epileptic Seizures
6. Flushing
7. Impaired memory
8. Muscle weakness

Things you need to discuss with your doctor?

Before getting the prescription, you need to inform your doctor if you have following medical/psychiatric conditions.

1. Any heart disease or Hypertension
2. Liver disease
3. Kidney disease
4. Bipolar affective disorder
5. Diabetes mellitus
6. Schizophrenia
7. Eye problems
8. Prostate problems in males (History of urinary retention)
9. Long standing constipation
10. History of all the medications you are on including street drugs

Compared to newer anti-depressants this medication is safe in pregnancy and breast feeding. It is due to availability of large amount of safety information.

How Clofranil is taken?

This medication is available as 50mg and 25mg tablets. Usual dose range is 50mg per day to 250mg per day. It should be taken with a full glass of water and should not be crushed before ingesting.

Summary

Clofranil is a TCA class antidepressant medication usually prescribed for OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression. Common side effects are drowsiness and dry mouth.

Venlift OD uses and side effects

Venlift OD ("Once daily") is a medication prescribed for major depression and anxiety disorders. It is an Indian brand name of Venlafaxine manufactured by Torrent pharmaceuticals. This medication is a SNRI or selective serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor class medication.

This medication acts by increasing serotonin and noradrenaline in nerve terminals.
Its commonest side effects are dry mouth, reduced sleep and constipation. Venlift OD is the extended release preparation of the Venlift. Venlift OD has to be given less frequently than Venlift.

Sections

1. Side effects of Venlift OD

Uses of Venlift OD

This medication is prescribed for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder such as panic disorder and social phobia.

Venlift OD capsules

Depression is characterized by persistent low mood, difficulty in enjoying pleasure and inability to work due to lack of energy. In addition, patients with severe form of depression get suicidal ideas and can end their lives.

Venlift OD is prescribed for depression

In addition to depression, this medication is useful in treating anxiety disorders such as social phobia and panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden onset out of the blue attacks of anxiety associated with fear of death, fear of suffocation or fear of heart attacks. It is common for general medical clinic to get patients with panic disorder.

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by severe disabling anxiety in social situations. They become severely anxious to talk to strangers and participate in social events.

How to take Venlift OD

This medication should be taken with a full glass of water. In addition, it should be taken with food to minimize side effects. Since this medication comes as a capsule, you should not break or remove the cover of the capsule.

Always follow your doctor’s advice and do not stop taking this medication without medical advice.

Usual dose range of this medication is 37.5mg to 375mg per day. Venlift OD preparation can be given once daily but most of the time prescribed twice daily to minimize side effects.

Take this medication with full glass of water to minimize side effects

Taking this medication after a meal would reduce side effects

What are the things you should tell your doctor before getting the prescription?

1. High blood pressure
2. Heart disease
3. Bipolar disease
4. Liver and Kidney failure
5. Myasthenia gravis
6. Hyperthyroidism

It is very important to tell your doctor whether you have hypertension as this medication is known to increase blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common side effect

How Venlift OD works

Venlift increases serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmission in the brain counteracting changes that are occurring in depression and other conditions. Compared to SSRI medications, this medication increase both noradrenaline and serotonin levels at higher doses. Which explains its higher efficacy.

What are the common side effects of Venlift OD?

This medication can cause nausea, and sometimes vomiting. In addition, it can cause heart burn and gastric irritation. It can also cause significant sexual dysfunction including lack of desire and erectile dysfunction in men.

At the initial part of the therapy you would experience increase of anxiety symptoms including dry mouth, increased heart rate, sweating and mild tremors. But they will usually goes off as time pass. In addition, you may experience sleep problems with this medication and some will experience poor sleep. In such patients it is advised to take this medication at morning.

Sleep problems are common side effect

Common side effects

1. Nausea
2. Gastric irritation
3. Headache
4. Sexual dysfunction
5. High blood pressure
6. Sleep problems
7. Dry mouth
8. Sweating
9. Increased anxiety

Sexual side effects can be annoying - But successful treatment of depression would improve sexual function

What are the more serious side effects associated with Venlift OD

This medication can cause manic shift in patients with bipolar disorder. It is characterized by increased energy, increased wellbeing and increased activity followed by more disinhibited behavior which is out of character.

In addition, certain group of people would develop serious complication called serotonin syndrome. It is characterized by high fever, sweating, course tremors and confusion. It usually occurs when you were changed from one medication to another or in case of rapid increase in dose.

List of serious side effects associated with Venlift OD

1. Serotonin syndrome
2. Bipolar mania
3. Increased bleeding
4. Increased gastric ulceration
5. Dangerous increase in blood pressure (Usually in over dose)

This medication can become toxic in overdose and therefore doctors prescribe Venlift carefully to patients with high suicidal risk.

Summary

Venlift OD is a SNRI class medication. Its generic name is Venlafaxine. It is prescribed for major depression and anxiety disorders. Its main side effects are nausea, gastric irritation, increased blood pressure, sexual dysfunction and sleep problems.

Uses and side effect of Zosert tablets

Zosert is a brand of Sertraline manufactured by the Sun Pharmaceuticals, India. It is a SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class medication. It is prescribed for major depression, Obsessive compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders. Most common side effects are nausea, gastric irritation and reduction in sexual desire. In addition, Zosert is one of the safest SSRI medication for patients with com morbid heart disease.

Zosert 50mg tablets

Depression is associated with many physical problems. Recent study has identified prolonged depression can cause heart problems such as heart attacks. 

Depression can cause Heart problems 

Uses of Zosert

This medication is mainly used for depressive disorder. Depression is characterized by more than two weeks period of low energy, low mood and lack of pleasure (unable to get pleasure from previously pleasurable activities). Zosert is given to patients with moderate to severe depressive episodes. A person need to take the medication for at least 7 – 10 days to experience a response.

In addition, Zosert is prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Depression is one of the  most common indication of Zosert

How Zosert is available and how should it be taken?

Zosert is available as tablets. Usually it is available as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets. Maximum dose is 200mg. Maximum doses are tried for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder.

To minimize side effects, it should be taken fully without crushing after a meal. In addition, a full glass of water should be taken with it.

Another brand of Sertraline common in India

What are the common side effects associated with Zosert tablets?

One of the most common side effect is heart burn and nausea. It can be minimized by taking it after a meal. In addition, some people develop headache especially after several days. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen 1g for an adult) can be taken as a treatment for this side effect.

In addition, sleep disturbances are common with this medication. Some people will experience poor sleep and others may experience drowsiness. Depending on the type patient can adjust the dosage time. E.g if it causes drowsiness take the medication in the evening.

Other more side effect of concern is sexual dysfunction. It can manifest as lack of sexual desire or erectile dysfunction (Impotence).

Summary of common side effects

1.       Nausea

2.       Heartburn

3.       Headache

4.       Sleep problems

5.       Sexual dysfunction

6.       Weight loss and loss of appetite

What are the serious side effects associated with Zosert tablets?

Zosert increases serotonin neurotransmission in the brain. Therefore, it can rarely cause serotonin syndrome. It’s a life-threatening side effect associated with initiation, dose escalation and mixing serotonergic medications. Common symptoms of serotonin syndrome are fever, tremors, muscle rigidity, confusion, delirium, sweating and changes in blood pressure/ pulse rate. Patients with serotonin syndrome should be managed in an Intensive care unit.

In addition, this medication can cause bleeding due to interference with platelet function. It is significant in patients with bleeding disorders, but it is rare.

When Zosert is given to bipolar affective disorder, it can precipitate manic episode. It is a common problem as many patients with bipolar affective disorder presents to doctors in their depressive phase.

In addition, when this medication is given to patients with gastric ulcers, they can be aggravated and sometimes can cause serious bleeding.

There is also concern that SSRI class medications increase suicidal risk when given to teenagers. But the research findings are conflicting.

Summary of serious side effects of Zosert

1.       Serotonin syndrome

2.       Bleeding problems

3.       Aggravation of gastric ulcers

4.       Precipitation of manic symptoms

5.       Increased suicidal risk when given to teenagers

6.       SIADH – Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion. This can cause reduced serum Sodium level and it’s a cause for mental confusion.

Summary

Zosert is a SSRI class medication and its generic name is Sertraline. It’s mainly prescribed for major depression anxiety disorders. This is the most cardiac safe drug in SSRI class. Its main side effects are nausea, headache and heartburn. In addition, it can cause serotonin syndrome and can aggrevate gastric ulcers.