Three Cases of Major Depression: Different Pharmacological Antidepressant Options

Abstract

Three cases with different forms of major depression and different pharmacological antidepressant treatments are presented. In the first case report, citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, improved transient depressive symptoms in a professionally busy man who recovers from the depressive symptoms and solves the social problems in his team. In the second case report showing a severe form of major depression and a suicide attempt, the tricyclic antidepressant drug doxepin failed to improve depressive symptoms. The selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine partly improved depressive symptoms. Lithium carbonate, a prophylactic drug, which shows antidepressant and antimanic effects, treated depressive symptoms successfully. The cardiac and renal adverse effects were controlled. In the third case report, citalopram was used to treat the chronic form of major depression; however the adverse effects such as sedating and drive-reducing effects and the weight gain were disturbing for the patient. The administration of the selective dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor bupropion ameliorated depressive symptoms and sleepiness, however caused hypertension and insomnia. Due to this changed medication, the patient succeeded in coping with a stressful life event, an anti-cancer therapy.