What? A Cough Medicine for Depression?

Serotonin antidepressants, step aside there’s a new kid in town. The FDA has just approved a new antidepressant that contains the active ingredient found in over-the-counter cough medicines. This new drug, which will be available soon, is said to work more rapidly than the current antidepressants. So if you're struggling with depression, this may be something to ask your doctor about in the coming months.

References
Zorumski, Charles F et al. “Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: Rationale for NMDA Receptors as Targets and Nitrous Oxide as Therapy.” Frontiers in psychiatry vol. 6 172. 9 Dec. 2015, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00172

Chandrasekar, Raman. “Alcohol and NMDA receptor: current research and future direction.” Frontiers in molecular neuroscience vol. 6 14. 28 May. 2013, doi:10.3389/fnmol.2013.00014

Bai G, Hoffman PW. Transcriptional Regulation of NMDA Receptor Expression. In: Van Dongen AM, editor. Biology of the NMDA Receptor. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2009. Chapter 5.

Mutschler, Jochen et al. “Dextromethorphan withdrawal and dependence syndrome.” Deutsches Arzteblatt international vol. 107,30 (2010): 537-40. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2010.0537

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor. mental health education mental health channel

[jasonwilcox]

As someone who's suffered severe depression most of my life. Your channel is amazing and so are you.

[tayzonday]

Auvelity is so expensive that I almost want to try taking Bupropion and Robitussin off-label. They overcharge so much for combining two common things.

[tnfreemason]

My wife sent me this video. Thank you for what you do. You really explain things in such way that a non medical person can understand how the brain functions.

[bradleslie]

All my life, I’ve battled treatment resistant depression and tried ALL the meds. At best, they helped get me out of the paralysis/freeze response that I continually experienced which made life unbearable. I had little power over my thoughts/rumination. I tried Ketamine infusions, but couldn’t afford them on a regular basis, so I can’t speak to their efficacy. I was seriously considering ECT, when my psychiatrist prescribed this drug. I cannot overstate what a game changer it’s been. For the first time in my life I feel like I’m in complete remission. Dr. Marks is doing a great service by getting the word out there and is to be highly commended.

[oldmanspooky]

I’ve used it to treat my bi-polar and schizophrenia for 30 years and it’s the only med that lets me think clear and be calm. I would volunteer and give history of my medical records to help others .

[johnfirth]

Our first child had severe epilepsy starting about age 1.5 y. We tried multiple seizure medications prescribed by neurologists. They didn’t stop the seizures and had bad side effects. A year later she caught a cold for a week. We gave her cough and cold medicine and her seizures stopped completely. After the cold, she had seizures again. We decided to try the cough and cold medicine again and seizures stopped. The pediatrician said there was anecdotal evidence that it worked for some epilepsy. The neurologists dismissed it. We went with it as we are the experts on our child not them. We used it for 10 years till the epilepsy stopped. No side effects. We figured out it was the dectramethorphan in it not the antihistamine so used pure cough syrup because it acts on the brain directly to stop the cough reflex. We told other families and some said it worked for their children while others it didn’t. Since then medical trials have shown it to be as effective as any other seizure medicine. About 30% of patients had positive results, about the same as the most effective other medicines but no side effects. Many doctors dismiss what parents say. Others are open to learning and trying. Hurray for the latter.

[daniellekbingham]

My P-doc recommended Auvelity, and I've been on it for about 6 weeks now. It's not a silver bullet, but I feel so much better. I'm not crushed with negative thoughts, and I feel like I can get out of bed without the dread of surviving another day. I got the drug through the manufacturer's discount - it's just $10/month.

[walexander]

I wish CBD would be talked about more. Stuff has helped me so much this year. From suicidal ideation everyday to hope and mostly love for myself in about 9 months. Just with 50-100 mg per day. I even have a girlfriend now for 7 months and even if we argue a little I do not really feel depressed. I could not picture my life like this a year ago. I feel sad when Im supposed to feel sad, happy when I'm supposed to feel happy.

The future is still frightening because of what the anxiety and depression has done to me over the past 10-15 years but I still have hope I can live a good life

[dia]

In psych, specifically studying neurotransmitters, I asked the professor why DXM wouldn’t work as an antidepressant and all they said was it can’t work. No explanation, nothing. I’m glad I watched the video. I knew the DXM would wear off quickly but I had no idea Wellbutrin would sustain it. Fascinating.
I am one of those people who don’t get any relief from any antidepressants. My doctor told me to try ketamine. There were no providers at the time. Recently I found a place but it’s $1000 to start, 400 a visit, insurance doesn’t cover it. And that’s where people like me are at, we are in a catch 22 situation and I hope this situation gets better for us.

[DrTonyHampton]

Your videos should qualify for continuing medical education credit (CME). Thanks for the update🙏🏾

[t.wilson]

Dr. Marks,
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with the public. I am a counselor-in-training and though LPCs cannot rx meds, it’s wonderful to have the knowledge about available therapies. You’re a blessing for so many! 🙏🏽

[saras.]

I like when you give us this cutting edge stuff. Makes your channel stand out from the others.

[MrKrueger]

I am amazed by the intellect, information and helpfulness you offer . Having had over a decade of abuse in my young years, and health issues from prescriptions, i think I've enough experience to say ( asking with many years of counselling and self help ), that this ladies advice and help is second to none . Thankyou .... So so much, not just for me, but for the millions that should be listening to you .
You are brilliant 🤗🤗🤗

[Mavrik]

This combination does indeed help with depression. The side effects however make it dangerous to drive. It causes slowed reaction time and some alteration of spacial awareness. Making it hard to judge distances, similar to the warning on passenger side mirrors: "Objects are closer than they appear." Buproprion carries a warning about combining with dextromethorphan for these reasons. The combination is also helpful for anxiety.

[WolvenMother]

I've disliked taking any medications because, I didn't like how they made me feel. Now anymore, I've managed to keep myself stable (more or less), by imagining my emotions as a storm and I'm in a boat looking out at the Whirlpool caused by the storm. I repeat to myself "I'm fine, as long as I stay in the boat. It's not worth jumping over-board."

[localvode]

It helped me to break my addiction on opioids completely...!!!

[nutricionveritas]

I love you Dr. Marks, thanks for giving us this insight into the new medicaction, and giving hope to depressed and anxious individuals all over the globe.

Greetings, and a big hug from Mexico.

[fynnh.]

I have followed your videos for a very long time and this is probably one of the most informative, up to date (in terms of the psychiatric model of imbalances) and hope generating videos I have recently watched.

[freeexpress]

I needed Dr. Marks' videos today, literally to help me re-center. The reminders about our neuroplasticity, and why our thoughts wander, is extremely calming. I am so glad we're also making progress on helpful medications because I will never try traditional anti-depressants again.

[phobos]

I did a few heavy dxm trips when I was in college. they were mind opening and enlightening, I've never been the same since and I feel like I've been a better person. It's put you get in touch with your true being so you better be sure you're ready for whatever that may be.