What About Vagus Nerve Stimulation?
Vagus Nerve Stimulation, or VNS, has been available for the treatment of epilepsy since 1997 and was approved by the FDA for the adjunctive treatment of refractory depression in 2005. VNS relies upon the use of a surgically implanted device which delivers periodic stimulation to the vagus nerve. How VNS therapy works is not completely understood; however, several studies have suggested that this technique may be effective for some patients with treatment-resistant depression.
How to Treat Anxiety Symptoms During Pregnancy
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Interaction Between Birth Control Preparations and Anti-Epileptic Medications
The interaction between specific birth control preparations and anti-epileptic medications should always be taken into consideration when developing a treatment approach, as taking the two simultaneously may decrease the birth control pill's effectiveness.
Can Paxil (Paroxetine) Be Used While Breastfeeding?
All medications are secreted into the breast milk, although concentrations appear to vary. There is a fair amount of information on the use of Paxil (paroxetine) in nursing women. While Paxil may be detected in the breast milk, there have been no reports of adverse events in the nursing infant. The only situation where one may want to avoid breastfeeding is when the baby is premature or has signs of hepatic immaturity, which may make it more difficult for the infant to metabolize the medication to which he or she is exposed. Premature babies are also probably more vulnerable to the toxic effects of these medications.
Cognitive Therapy versus Medication in the Treatment of Depression
Both antidepressant medications and cognitive therapy have been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression; however, the question remains as to whether one treatment is preferred over the other. Subjects enrolled in The Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study (men and women with major depression, ages 18-75) were initially treated with citalopram, an SSRI. Those who had unsatisfactory outcomes after initial treatment were eligible for a randomized second-step treatment trial in which they switched to a new treatment (either cognitive therapy or a different antidepressant) or augmented the citalopram regimen with either cognitive therapy or a different antidepressant.