2. Introduction
Today, we will explore the fascinating world
of antidepressants, a class of medications
widely used in the treatment of mental
health disorders.
What are Antidepressants?
Antidepressants are pharmacological
compounds that aim to regulate
neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
3. There are various types of
antidepressants, including selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic
antidepressants (TCAs), and others.
These medications are used to treat a
range of mental health conditions, such
as major depressive disorder, generalized
anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder,
and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Widely prescribed, impacting millions of lives
Introduction
4. Antidepressants are primarily
synthetic drugs developed in
laboratories.
- However, their development often
involves studying and synthesizing
compounds with structural
similarities to natural substances
found in plants or other organisms.
Introduction
5. Antidepressants are a diverse group of drugs
with varying chemical structures and functional
groups, which significantly impact their
physical properties and interactions with the
brain. There are three common types of
antidepressants:
Advantages of Acupuncture
6. Examples: Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram
Chemical Structure: SSRIs often contain a
central bicyclic ring system, such as a
fluorinated phenyl ring or a naphthyl ring, along
with various substituents.
Functional Groups: SSRIs predominantly
contain functional groups like amines, ethers,
and fluorine groups.
Advantages of Acupuncture (Cont.)
7. Physical Properties: The presence of polar
functional groups like amines and ethers makes
SSRIs relatively hydrophilic. The presence of
fluorine atoms increases lipophilicity and can
impact their absorption and distribution in the
body.
Disadvantages of Acupuncture
8. Inhibitors (SNRIs):
- Examples: Venlafaxine, Duloxetine
- Chemical Structure: SNRIs have diverse
structures, but often contain a central ring system,
such as a phenyl ring or a thiophene ring,
connected to an amine or an amide functional
group.
- Functional Groups: SNRIs contain functional
groups like amines, amides, and occasionally thiol
groups.
Disadvantages of Acupuncture
(Cont.)
9. Physical Properties: Similar to SSRIs, SNRIs tend
to have both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties.
The presence of amine groups imparts
hydrophilicity, while the aromatic rings contribute
to lipophilicity
Disadvantages of Acupuncture
(Cont.)
10. Examples: Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Imipramine
- Chemical Structure: TCAs are characterized by
their tricyclic structure, typically composed of two
aromatic rings fused to a central cycloheptene or
cycloheptadiene ring.
- Functional Groups: TCAs contain functional
groups like amines, amides, and occasionally
halogens (chlorine or fluorine)
Disadvantages of Acupuncture
(Cont.)
11. Physical Properties: TCAs tend to have moderate
lipophilicity due to their aromatic rings and amine
groups. The presence of halogens can further
affect their polarity and solubility.
Disadvantages of Acupuncture
(Cont.)
12. The physical properties of antidepressants, such as
solubility, lipophilicity, and ionization, influence factors like
absorption, distribution within the body, and binding to
target receptors. For example:
- Highly lipophilic antidepressants tend to exhibit better
penetration through the blood-brain barrier.
- The presence of polar functional groups affects solubility
and may influence drug interactions and metabolism.
- Protonation or ionization of functional groups can impact
drug delivery and targeting within the body.
Disadvantages of Acupuncture
(Cont.)
16. - Rare but possible
risks
- Infections
- Bleeding or bruising
- Pneumothorax
- Nerve damage
Complications of Acupuncture
-Organ injury
-Allergic reactions
-Needles left in the
body
-Dizziness or fainting
17. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine
technique that involves the insertion of thin
needles into specific points on the body.
It is primarily used to treat pain, but it can also
be used to treat a range of other conditions.
While there are advantages to acupuncture,
there are also potential disadvantages and
complications that should be considered
before undergoing treatment.
Summary
