Can one get antidepressants without a prescription?
All medicines known as antidepressants are available only on prescription. This means that without a prescription from a doctor you cannot get them as a patient. However, in the age of the Internet, there are some online services that send antidepressants online without a prescription.
The condition for this is partly an online questionnaire, which according to the website is checked by an expert. This expert then also gives a dosage recommendation. Fact is however that one is passed on usually only to an Internet dispatch pharmacy, with it one can order the desired means then.
Of course, such sites are not recommended. Even a questionnaire does not replace a conversation with the doctor, who can determine an individual therapy with the patient. Antidepressants can, especially with the wrong dosage, have strong unwanted side effects! Likewise, such sites do not protect against abuse, especially since discounts are often used for advertising. The therapy of depression belongs without doubt in the hands of a specialist!
Herbal over-the-counter antidepressants
There are numerous herbal products for the treatment of depression, which can be purchased over the counter at the pharmacy. The best-known is St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), which has a similar effect to prescription antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs) through its ingredient hypericin. However, it should be noted that for the over-the-counter products in which St. John’s wort is only contained in a very small dosage, its effectiveness against depression has not yet been fully proven.
Another well-known product is cocoa. This contains cannabinoids that occur naturally in humans and are known to have mood-improving and antidepressant effects. At the same time it contains a high amount of tryptophane, which is the starting product for the synthesis of the happiness hormone serotonin.
Other herbal products for the treatment of depression contain balm. These are often combined with lavender for an anxiety-relieving and anti-depressive effect. In addition, kratom also shows a rapid antidepressive effect.
Depending on the dosage, it can have a sleep-promoting, euphoric and stimulating effect. However, it should be noted that kratom is a weak opioid and has a low addictive potential. Other herbal products that are said to have an antidepressant effect are Ginseng, taiga root, cola nut, yellow ginger and poisonous radish.
Another well-known product is cocoa. This contains naturally occurring cannabinoids in humans, which are known for their mood-improving and antidepressant effects. At the same time it contains a high amount of tryptophane, which is the starting product for the synthesis of the happiness hormone serotonin.
Other herbal products for the treatment of depression contain balm. These are often combined with lavender for an anxiety-relieving and anti-depressive effect. In addition, kratom also shows a rapid antidepressive effect.
Depending on the dosage, it can have a sleep-promoting, euphoric and stimulating effect. However, it should be noted that kratom is a weak opioid and has a low addictive potential. Other herbal products that are said to have an antidepressant effect are Ginseng, taiga root, cola nut, yellow ginger and poisonous radish.
A prescription-free alternative to the classic antidepressants is the use of St. John’s wort. It is available over the counter (over the counter) in supermarkets and drugstores. However, its effect is highly controversial.
There are many studies that both prove its effectiveness and show the opposite. In Germany it is indicated for the treatment of a “mild transient depressive disorder”. Hyperforin is thought to be an effective ingredient, but this has not yet been definitively proven.
It is also believed to act as a non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitor, like the tricyclic antidepressants. Just like these, this over-the-counter St. John’s wort only develops its effect after a few weeks. With St. John’s wort, however, it should be noted that the same degradation pathway in the body can lead to interactions with other drugs.
As a result, other drugs are broken down more quickly and thus lose some or all of their effect. This is the case, for example, with anti-contraceptives (“the pill”), HIV drugs, antibiotics or immunosuppressants. This can have serious consequences.
For example, severe infections can be promoted or rejection reactions can be induced in immunosuppressive therapy after a transplant. Interactions with antidepressants cannot be excluded either. In the case of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, their side effects can be increased and possibly trigger the serotonin syndrome.
In addition, the usual dosage of St. John’s wort starts at about 600 mg/day. However, the preparations available in drugstores, for example, contain much lower doses. This is because St. John’s wort is available only on prescription from an effective quantity of 300 mg.
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