Patient/caregiver was instructed upon dothiepin and mechanism of action as follows:
- Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are synthesized in the brain and spinal cord. These chemicals are released at nerve endings, into the junction between two nerve cells and help the nerve cells to communicate with each other.
- These chemicals can have multiple roles and functions in the body. Serotonin is one such chemical considered to reduce anxiety and promote happiness and well-being. Noradrenaline is another chemical in the brain considered to increase alertness, promote vigilance, enhance memory and attention.
- Dothiepin is an antidepressant medication used to treat mood disorders, such as, major depression and anxiety.
- It is believed that dothiepin works by increasing the serotonin and noradrenaline concentrations and enhancing their actions at the junction between nerve cells.
- Promotion of actions of serotonin and noradrenaline in the nervous system helps with contributing to increased alertness, enhanced memory & attention, and promotion of feelings of well-being, contentment, and happiness. In total, this helps with relief from anxiety and control of symptoms of depression.
- Dothiepin use is currently limited to patients intolerant to or unresponsive to alternative antidepressant medications, owing to serious side-effects.
