New Treatments for Depression

When looking for different or new treatments for depression, you might be searching for new medications or therapies that might help alleviate depression symptoms. Medicine is an ever changing and improving area, especially psychiatry. In recent years, there have been a number of newer medications approved for use for depression.

Let’s explore some of the new treatments for depression here. This article includes medications and therapies as well as newer medications and therapies as well as their potential risks.

Esketamine:

Chemically similar to ketamine, esketamine under the brand name Spravato has been approved by the TGA in Australia. It is administered as a nasal spray, in a similar way to nasonex or other decongestant sprays. It is thought to work by increasing levels of glutamate in the brain, affecting more brain cells at one time then conventional antidepressants (1).

Vortioxetine:

Mostly known as the brand name Brintellix in Australia. Vortioxetine is a newer antidepressant medication that aims to increase levels of serotonin. This is in addition to affecting several neurotransmitter systems involved in mood regulation. Unfortunately there are common side effects of this medication include nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea (2).

Brexpiprazole:

Known by the brand name Rexulti. Brexpiprazole is primarily an antipsychotic medication but can be used as a complementary treatment for depression. It acts on both the serotonin and dopamine systems in the brain which are important for mood regulation. Risks include potentially developing tardive dyskinesia with prolonged use. The side effects can include restlessness, weight gain and cholesterol abnormalities (3).

Agomelatine:

Known as Valdoxan in Australia. Agomelatine is a fairly recent antidepressant that mimics the effect of melatonin which can assist with sleep, whilst also blocking certain serotonin receptors to improve mood. Side effects can include headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue (4).

Psychedelic Assisted Therapy:

This refers to the use of psychedelic substances like psilocybin (magic mushrooms) or MDMA in a therapeutic setting to explore their thoughts and emotions. It can lead to significant insights and breakthroughs that can help alleviate depression. It’s also thought they activate specific serotonin receptors and create complex changes. Potential risks include the effects of the substances as well as distress from experiences. (5)

rTMS:

rTMS stands for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. rTMS aims to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation and depression to help treat depressive symptoms. rTMS is what we provide in our clinics at Sydney TMS. rTMS is non-invasive and side effects include possible headaches and fatigue. The only major risk is a 1 in 30,000 risk of a seizure, however this is extremely rare and has not been seen in our clinics (6). Sydney TMS has been specialising in rTMS for 10 years. To contact Sydney TMS and find a location near you, please CLICK HERE

In conclusion, there are a number of recent pharmacological and non-pharmacological advancements in the treatment of depression. We hope this article has given you an overview of what newer treatments or therapies are available in Australia, and a better understanding of their potential risks. We thank you for reading our article on new treatments for depression. To look through our medical journal links please refer to our “For Professionals” tab in our website.