medications that don't raise cortisol levels

I have read that elevated cortisol levels go along with depression and anxiety disorders. Ann Blake Tracey states in her book (Prozac Panacea or Pandora) that Prozac and other ssri's actually raise cortisol levels. If all this is true how can the ssri's help someone suffering with depression. I have also read that there is a new medication(Tineaptine) which seems to lower
cortisol and prevent brain damage associated with elevated cortisol. It is supposed to work in an opposite way that the ssri's work(by accelerating the use of seratonin).
My question to you is: Do the ssri's really raise cortisol levels and if so could this promote brain damage and worsening of the depresson. Also what do you think of the medication Tineaptine and do you think it will ever be available here?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

There is no credible information, to my knowledge, that the effect on cortisol levels of medication is significant or causes damage. These medications have been used extensively.  Cortisol does increase in depression because depression is always mixed with anxiety and stress on the system but in most cases that elevation is a natural protective mechanism, not a harmful mechanism.

I don't know anything about Tineaptine.

[mdictu]

Regarding Tianeptine, see
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/tianep.htm