Antidepressants
Drug group: Antidepressants
Drugs names: There are three main types of depressants, namely Tricyclic (TCAs e.g. Trazodone, Mianserin), Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs e.g. Fluoxetine/Prozac) and Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs, e.g. Phenelzine)
Classification/legal status: Under the Medicines Act antidepressants are a prescription only drug, but are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is not an offence to possess them without a prescription but it is an offence to supply it to anyone else.
Antidepressants can be used for a number of conditions, including moderate to severe depression, severe anxiety and panic attacks obsessive compulsive disorders and chronic pain. The most common side effects of taking antidepressants are headaches, insomnia, nausea, a dry mouth, shaking and sexual problems.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur if the user suddenly stops taking the drug, which can last up to two months. Fluoxetine is the only antidepressant that is not recommended for people below the age of eighteen because of concerns of self-harm in this age group.
They come as tablets or capsules and sometimes in a liquid form. Depression affects around 5–10 per cent of the population in the UK, with antidepressant drugs being the most predominant treatment, depending on severity. However they are also open to abuse and can lead to overdose. Different kinds of antidepressants can be misused because of their amphetamine-like effect.
They are sometimes used to alleviate the post ecstasy come-down.
Concateno offer a test for selected antidepressants in oral fluid, hair and urine. Please contact us for further details.
Employee Services
- test our employees as part of a drug and alcohol policy
- test our employees after an incident
- test our students and pupils
- test our contractors while they are working for us
- test people we are about to employ
Maritime
Healthcare
- test our clients as part of their drug treatment programme
- test our clients as part of their probation order
- test our clients for blood borne viruses
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