1960s
Given the success of iproniazid and imipramine in the 1950s, the pursuit of better, more targeted drug relatives began in the 1960s. Though iproniazid went into disuse in 1957, the class of drugs it created, MAOIs, became increasingly popular in the 1960s, as imipramine eventually became unattractive, due to its inconsistency. Both of these important precursors to modern antidepressants were first administered based on insufficient or inept science, which is why drug makers in the 1960s sought to change the antidepressant industry for good, by conducting more detailed testing on such drugs (Kramer).
At around this time, MAOIs started to be seen as an undesirable class, due to their more lethal and addictive properties, which were less significant with the use of TCAs. TCAs, however, affected a whole host of neurotransmitters, some of which were involved with depression treatment and some of which were not. Those neurotransmitters and neural pathways that are not directly involved with depression symptoms, when affected by TCAs, can have many harmful effects on the user (Kramer). Those effects range from dizziness and confusion all the way to hypersensitivity, tachycardia, and death that can result therefrom (Cloud).
Despite the “lesser of two evils” conundrum faced by drug makers, TCAs retained their popularity until the end of the decade and remained on top of the antidepressant world until the late 1980s. Their development continued, though, throughout the 1970s.
History of Antidepressants
References
Cloud, John. “Why Antidepressants Don’t Live Up to the Hype.” Time Health. Time Magazine. 06 May 2009.
Kramer, Peter D. Listening to Prozac. Penguin Books. New York, 1993.
At around this time, MAOIs started to be seen as an undesirable class, due to their more lethal and addictive properties, which were less significant with the use of TCAs. TCAs, however, affected a whole host of neurotransmitters, some of which were involved with depression treatment and some of which were not. Those neurotransmitters and neural pathways that are not directly involved with depression symptoms, when affected by TCAs, can have many harmful effects on the user (Kramer). Those effects range from dizziness and confusion all the way to hypersensitivity, tachycardia, and death that can result therefrom (Cloud).
Despite the “lesser of two evils” conundrum faced by drug makers, TCAs retained their popularity until the end of the decade and remained on top of the antidepressant world until the late 1980s. Their development continued, though, throughout the 1970s.
History of Antidepressants
References
Cloud, John. “Why Antidepressants Don’t Live Up to the Hype.” Time Health. Time Magazine. 06 May 2009.
Kramer, Peter D. Listening to Prozac. Penguin Books. New York, 1993.
Conference
Every year, members of the Society get together for our annual conference. Read about speakers, ticket pricing, and the schedule of this year's events.
Life
In "Life," the history of assisted suicide and the controversy surrounding the issue are discussed.
Body
In "Body," the history and issues of Gender Identity Disorder are summarized.