Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Fluoxetine is an oral drug that is used for
treating depression. It is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class that also contains citalopram (Celexa),
paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Fluoxetine affects
neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves within the brain use to communicate
with each other. Neurotransmitters are manufactured and released by nerves and
then travel and attach to nearby nerves. Thus, neurotransmitters can be thought
of as the communication system of the brain. Serotonin is one neurotransmitter
that is released by nerves in the brain. The serotonin either travels across the
space between nerves and attaches to receptors on the surface of nearby nerves
or it attaches to receptors on the surface of the nerve that produced it, to be
taken up by the nerve and released again (a process referred to as re-uptake).
Many experts believe that an imbalance among neurotransmitters is the cause of
depression. Fluoxetine works by preventing the reuptake of one neurotransmitter,
serotonin, by nerve cells after it has been released. Since uptake is an
important mechanism for removing released neurotransmitters and terminating
their actions on adjacent nerves, the reduced uptake caused by fluoxetine
increases free serotonin that stimulates nerve cells in the brain. The FDA
approved Fluoxetine in December 1987.
DOSING: Depression in adults is treated with 20-80 mg of fluoxetine daily.
The recommended dose for treating depression in children is 10-20 mg daily.
After 13 weeks of daily administration, once weekly dosing may be effective in
some patients.
Bulimia is treated with 60 mg of fluoxetine daily. Long-term treatment for up
to 52 weeks has been shown to be beneficial in maintaining remission.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and children is treated with 20-60 mg
daily and panic disorder is managed with 10-60 mg daily. The recommended regimen
for PMDD is 20 mg administered every day of the menstrual cycle or daily for 14
days prior to the onset of menstruation through the first day of menses.
The recommended treatment for resistant depressionis 20-50 mg of
fluoxetine and 5-20 mg olanzapine once daily in the evening while the
recommended treatment for depression associated with bipolar disorder is 20-50
mg fluoxetine and 5-12.5 mg olanzapine once daily in the evening
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Fluoxetine should not be taken with any of the monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) class of antidepressants [for example, isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline
(Eldepryl), and procarbazine (Matulane)] or other drugs that inhibit monoamine
oxidase [for example, linezolid (Zyvox)]. Such combinations may lead to confusion,
high
blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death.
Fluoxetine should not be administered for at least 14 days after stopping
MAOIs. Because fluoxetine is active in the body for several weeks, MAOIs
should not be administered
for at least 5 weeks after fluoxetine has been stopped.Similar reactions occur
when fluoxetine is combined with other drugs, for example,
tryptophan, St.
John's wort, meperidine (Demerol),
and tramadol (Ultram) that increase serotonin in the brain.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
Fibromyalgia, formerly
known as fibrositis, causes chronic pain, stiffness, and
tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints without detectable inflammation. Fibromyalgia patients have an unusually low pain threshold. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include fatigue, abnormal sleep, mental/emotional disturbances, abdominal pain, migraine and tension headaches, and irritable bladder. Treatment of fibromyalgia involves patient education, medication, exercise, and stress reduction.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric condition, can develop after any catastrophic life event. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, sweating, rapid heart rate, detachment, amnesia, sleep problems, irritability, and exaggerated startle response. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, group support, and medication.
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment may incorporate mood stabilizer medications, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body, leading to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma is also referred to as systemic sclerosis, and the cause is unknown. Treatment of scleroderma is directed toward the individual features that are most troubling to the patient.
The term sex addiction describes the behavior of someone who has an unusually strong sex drive or sexual obsession. Sex and thoughts of sex dominate a sex addict's thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships. Sex addicts may engage in exhibitionism, voyeurism, prostitution, compulsive masturbation, or cybersex. Treatment for sex addiction includes individual counseling, marital and/or family therapy, support groups, 12-step recovery programs, and in some cases, medications.
Huntington's disease is the result of degeneration of neurons in areas of the brain. Huntington's disease is an inherited disorder. Early symptoms include mood swings, apathy, depression, and anger uncharacteristic of the individual. Judgement, memory, and other cognitive functions may become impaired. Presymptomatic testing is available for individuals who have a family history of Huntington's disease. Treatment includes medication and therapy for symptoms.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by the symptoms hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Treatment for ADHD may involve behavioral therapy and psychostimulant or antidepressant medication.
Agoraphobia is a fear of being outside or of being in a situation from which escape would be impossible. Symptoms include anxiety, fear, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, or dizziness. Treatment may incorporate psychotherapy, self-exposure to the anxiety-causing situation, and medications such as SSRIs, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers.
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that tends to occur as the days grow shorter in the fall and winter. Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include tiredness, fatigue, depression, irritability, body aches, poor sleep and overeating.
Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (bingeing) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, or excessive exercise. Purging and nonpurging are the two types of bulimia. There are five basic criteria in the diagnosis of bulimia.
Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. It's caused by a mutation on the X chromosome. People with Fragile X syndrome suffer from physical, social, emotional, speech, language, sensory, intelligence, and learning impairments. There is no definitive treatment for Fragile X, though there are ways to minimize the symptoms.
Phobias are unrelenting fears of activities (social phobias), situations (agoraphobia), and specific items (arachnophobia). There is thought to be a hereditary component to phobias, though there may be a cultural influence or they may be triggered by life events. Symptoms and signs of phobias include having a panic attack, shaking, breathing troubles, rapid heart beat, and a strong desire to escape the situation. Treatment of phobias typically involves desensitization, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and beta blockers.
Separation anxiety disorder is a common childhood anxiety disorder that has many causes. Infants, children, older kids and adults can suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder. Common treatment methods include therapy and medications.
Narcolepsy, a chronic disease of the central nervous system causes have not been fully determined. Some theories include abnormalities in hypocretin neurons in the brain or an autoimmune disorder. Symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, disturbed nocturnal sleep, and automatic behavior. Diagnosis of narcolepsy is based on a clinical evaluation, specific questionnaires, sleep logs or diaries, and the results of sleep laboratory tests. Treatments of narcolepsy symptoms include medication and lifestyle changes.
Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include anger, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, fatigue, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
Dysthymia is a less severe form of chronic depression. Symptoms and signs include insomnia, suicidal thoughts, guilt, empty feeling, loss of energy, helplessness, sluggishness, and persistent aches and pains. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and antidepressants.
Though the holidays are a fun time for most, for others, they're a sad, lonely and anxiety-filled time. Get tips on how to avoid depression and stress during the holiday season.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an illness where a person is overly preoccupied with some minor or imaginary flaw. People with BDD tend to have cosmetic surgery. BDD can be treated with SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs within a year after delivery. It is thought that rapid hormone changes after childbirth may lead to depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression include crying a lot, headaches, chest pains, eating too little or too much, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawal from friends and family, and feeling irritable, sad, hopeless, worthless, guilty, and overwhelmed. Treatment typically involves talk therapy and medication.
Depression in teenagers may be caused by many factors. Symptoms of teen depression include apathy, irresponsible behavior, sadness, sudden drop in grades, withdrawal from friends, and alcohol and drug use. Treatment of depression in adolescents may involve psychotherapy and medications.
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is a disorder that causes unusual and extreme mood changes. Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and teens include having trouble concentrating, behaving in risky ways and losing interest in activities they once enjoyed. Treatment for bipolar disorder in children and teenagers incorporates psychotherapy and medications.
A phobia is generally defined as the unrelenting fear of a situation,
activity, or thing that causes one to want to avoid it. The definition of
agoraphobia is a fear of being outside or otherwise being in a situation from
which one either cannot escape or from which escaping would be difficult or
humiliating.
Phobias are largely underreported, probably because many phobia sufferers
find ways to avoid the situations to which they are phobic. The fact that
agoraphobia often occurs in combination with panic disorder makes tracking how
often it occurs all the more difficult. Other facts about agoraphobia include
that researchers estimate it occurs in less than 1 percent to almost 7
percent of the population and that it is specifically thought to be grossly
underdiagnosed.
What causes agoraphobia?
There are a number of theories about what can cause agoraphobia. One
hypothesis is that agoraphobi...
Depression RSS
Healthy Living Tips
