People's Pharmacy

Serzone

Generic Name:nefazodone

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Overview

Prozac was the first of a new generation of antidepressants. It was followed by Paxil and Zoloft.

They work by enhancing the action of a brain chemical called serotonin and are called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Now there are additional compounds such as Serzone and Effexor (venlafaxine). Researchers do not understand the exact mechanism whereby these medicines relieve psychological depression.

They too affect serotonin and in addition modify levels of another brain chemical called norepinephrine. Such drugs are called SNRIs (serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

The success of these new antidepressants comes largely because they are less likely to cause typical side effects associated with older medications.

Tricyclic antidepressants like Elavil, Tofranil, Sinequan and Pamelor can produce dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, weight gain, and a sluggish or lethargic feeling.

SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft appear to share one common problem. Many people complain of sexual difficulties -- less interest, less ability, and less enjoyment. Serzone may be somewhat less likely to muck up the sexual machinery.

Serzone has been approved for treatment of psychological depression. Symptoms of depression may include sleep disturbances, loss of interest in normal activities, feeling gloomy, down in the dumps, and sad longer than several weeks, loss of sex drive, loss of appetite, fatigue, feelings of restlessness or agitation, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of suicide.