Reuptake
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Reuptake refers to a biological process that takes place in the nervous system.
Neurons or nerve cells have spaces between them known as synapses. In order for one neuron to communicate or send a signal to the next one, the first neuron has to squirt chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the space or synapse. Most of these chemicals make it over into the next nerve cell, but some are left behind in the synapse.
Two things can happen to the ones left behind in the synapse. They can either go back into the first cell where they came from, or they can be destroyed. Going back into the first cell is called reuptake or re-absorption. Monoamine Oxidase is the chemical that destroys the neurotransmitter molecules left in the synapse.
Two classes of drugs today are among those used to treat depression, and they work by manipulating the flow and reuptake of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. People with depression have low levels of serotonin, and these drugs are designed to increase serotonin by interfering with the reuptake mechanism or by stopping MAO from destroying serotonin molecules left in nerve synapse. These two kinds of drugs are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs).
SSRIs work by stopping the first neuron from reabsorbing or reuptaking the serotonin that is left in nerve synapses. These drugs take up the spaces that serotonin would fill in the neuron that released them, which means the serotonin has no place to go except into the next cell. Generic names of SSRIs are Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, and Sertraline. Trademarked names of SSRIs are Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Paxil, Zoloft, Symbyax, Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil CR, Pexeva, and Sarafem. These are the most commonly used antidepressants, and cause the fewest side effects in most people.
MAO Inhibitors work by stopping Monoamine Oxidase from destroying the serotonin left in synapses. Generic names of MAO Inhibitors are Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Selegiline, Tranyxyxpromine. Trademarked names are Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, Eldepryl, Zelapar, and Pamate. MAO Inhibitors were developed in the late 1950s after the discovery of tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs are no longer the preferred method of treatment and are mostly used among people who do not respond to SSRIs. MAOIs interact with many drugs, alcohol, and certain foods, and the effect can be serious, even sudden death.
