ABSTRACT
Bupropion is a norepinephrinergic antidepressant with mild dopaminergic properties and a half-life of approximately ten hours. Bupropion is particularly effective for patients presenting with symptoms such as anergia or decreased energy, apathy, psychomotor retardation, poor concentration, anhedonia, loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, and depressed mood. A history of seizures and bulimia/anorexia are contraindications to prescribing bupropion. Fluoxetine is a serotonergic antidepressant with antianxiety and anti-obsessive-compulsive effects. Fluoxetine can be effective in patients with hypochondriasis and somatization disorders, which have anxiety and obsessive features as underlying symptoms. Sertraline be used for treatment of other conditions, such as anxiety disorder and bulimia/anorexia. Paroxetine is a more potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor than either fluoxetine or sertraline. Clinical experience based on prescribing nefazodone to both inpatients and outpatients has revealed that its effectiveness in treating severe depression and anxiety is comparable to a range between that of SSRIs and trazodone.
