Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionHow They WorkTypesEffectivenessUsesHow to TakeSide EffectsNatural OptionsFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
How They Work
Types
Effectiveness
Uses
How to Take
Side Effects
Natural Options
FAQs
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What is the most important information I should know about antidepressants?Some people experience side effects when taking antidepressants, particularly when first starting them or after increasing the dosage.If you experience bothersome side effects, talk with your care provider. If you experience severe side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, seek immediate medical attention.
What is the most important information I should know about antidepressants?
Some people experience side effects when taking antidepressants, particularly when first starting them or after increasing the dosage.If you experience bothersome side effects, talk with your care provider. If you experience severe side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, seek immediate medical attention.
In the U.S., antidepressants are among the most frequently prescribed medications. From 2015 through 2018, more than 14% of Americans 12 and older said they took an antidepressant in the last month.
If you’re considering taking an antidepressant, understanding how the most popular ones work can help you and your healthcare provider decidewhich might work best for youandwhen you should take it.
What Is Depression Medication?
Depression medications, also referred to as antidepressants, are prescription medications that help manage depressive symptoms. These symptoms can vary but include feeling “empty,” increased irritability, having a loss of energy, and a loss of interest in activities that one used to enjoy.
How Do Antidepressants Work?
There arefive major classes of antidepressants:
Each of these work in different ways. But the one thing all of these antidepressant medications have in common is that they increase the availability of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain.
Monoamine neurotransmitterssuch as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine help regulate mood, emotions, and behavior.
Common Antidepressant Medications
Taking a more in-depth look at the common antidepressant medications can increase your understanding of how this mental health condition is treated with the use of prescription drugs. SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, and atypical antidepressants are part of this list of common depression medications.
SSRIs
One study looking at people treated with antidepressants in the United States between 1996 and 2015 found that nearly 70% of respondents were treated with SSRIs.That makes SSRIs the most popular drugs for depression.
Some of the most commonly prescribed SSRIs include:
Most SSRIs are similar in regard to how well they work, although there may be subtle differences that can make one a better choice for you. It takes a while for SSRIs to build up in the body enough to have an effect on symptoms. Because of this, it can take several weeks or even months of trial and error to find the drug and dosage that will do you the most good.
How Long Does It Take for Antidepressants to Work?
SNRIs
Other common antidepressants belong to a class of drugs called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These depression medications inhibit the reuptake of two neurotransmitters: serotonin and norepinephrine.
The SNRIs that are available are:
While Strattera is an SNRI, it is used as anon-stimulant medication to treat ADHD, not depression or anxiety.
One of the most commonly prescribed SNRIs is Effexor (venlafaxine). It is as effective as other antidepressants in treating depression but does have a higher rate of causing nausea and vomiting, and may increase blood pressure and heart rate.
The SNRI Cymbalta (duloxetine) can increase blood pressure, and it has also been associated with an elevated risk of liver injury or failure.So, if you have any sort of liver disease, it could be a dangerous choice for you. The same is true if you drink a lot of alcohol.
In the 2017 study on psychiatric drugs, Cymbalta was the most commonly prescribed SNRI drug, with 7% of respondents reporting that they had taken it.
How Reuptake Inhibitor Drugs Work
TCAs
Types of tricyclics that are available include:
No TCA medication made the top 10 list of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs.
MAOIs
Some of the most commonly prescribed MAOIs include:
MAOIs are rarely prescribed given the significant risk associated witheating certain foodscontaining tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive crisis.
How SSRIs Compare to MAOIs
Atypical Antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants are those that don’t fit into any of the other classes. Physicians often prescribe them if other antidepressants either don’t work or cause unbearable side effects.
Common atypical antidepressants include:
Each of these atypical antidepressants influences different neurotransmitters in different ways. Some target dopamine, for example, while others serotonin or norepinephrine. Still others target a combination of the three.
As a result, they have different side effects compared to other antidepressants. For example, Desyrel is less likely to cause symptoms such as sexual dysfunction, insomnia, or anxiety.
Effectiveness of Depression Medication
In a study involving 180 peopleusing antidepressants long-term, 89.4% indicated that medication improved their depression.Additionally, 53.9% of the subjects said that their quality of life had “greatly improved” while taking antidepressants. The medications taken in this study included citalopram, venlafaxine, paroxetine, fluoxetine, loxamine, and nortriptyline.
Another piece of research looked at 522 different trials and found that “all antidepressants were more effective than placebo” for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD).Also known asclinical depression, MDD involves having at least five depressive symptoms every day for at least two weeks, among other diagnostic criteria.
Some researchers question the validity of studies involving antidepressants, indicating that they may work but also citing concerns over the size of the effects and bias due to the methods used.
Uses for Depression Medication
Depression medications are used to help reducedepression symptoms. While these symptoms can vary from one person to another, they may include:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Taking Depression Medication
There is no one-size-fits-all depression medication. Your healthcare provider can help find the best medication for you, along with finding the proper dosage. Finding the best antidepressant for you depends on a variety of factors, such as:
It generally takes four to eight weeks for these medicines to work, though you may notice positive changes related to sleeping and eating, for instance, before seeing improvements in your mood. While many people take antidepressants for six to 12 months, your length of use may be longer.
When taking antidepressants, avoiding drugs and alcohol is important. Your provider may also suggest that youengage in psychotherapyalong with taking medications to provide a greater treatment effect.
Never stop the use of antidepressant medications without consulting with your healthcare provider as this can cause a relapse in your symptoms. Also, talk with your provider if you’re having trouble with your medicine’s side effects. Lowering the dosage or switching medicines may help ease these effects.
Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
Antidepressants can improve the symptoms of depression, but, like all medications, they can also cause side effects. The frequency and severity of these side effects vary depending on the class of medication you’re taking.
Commonside effects of antidepressantsinclude:
Antidepressants may also increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality), especially during the first few months of treatment, or when your dose is increased or decreased. Teens and young adults are especially at risk and should be monitored closely.
Side effects tend to be mild and go away as your body adjusts to the medication. If your side effects are severe or last for longer than a few weeks, your prescribing doctor may adjust your dosage or recommend a different antidepressant.
If and when you and a doctor decide to stop your medication, it’s important towean off most antidepressants slowly. If you suddenly stop taking an antidepressant medication, you can experiencewithdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, and headaches.
Natural Depression Treatment Options
Prescription medications aren’t the only options for treating depression. Some research also suggests that there are a few natural products that may be helpful for reducing depressive symptoms.
According to a 2022 article published inEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,natural depression treatment optionsmay include:
Other studies report that, for some people,St. John’s wortis as effective as SSRIs for treating depression.Positive results have also been found for omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D,S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), and methylfolate.
Do not take herbs, supplements, or other substances for depression without talking to your primary care provider first. Some substances may lead to dangerous drug interactions when combined with antidepressants.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt is a personal choice whether to take medication for your depression. Speak to a healthcare provider first. For mild to moderate cases of depression, they may recommend therapy and lifestyle changes before prescribing antidepressants.Yes. If you have suicidal thoughts, contact a medical professional right away. They may prescribe another medication, such as a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic to reduce suicidal thoughts, as well as recommend further psychological support.Antidepressants aren’t addictive, but you can become physiologically dependent on them and experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. As a result, a provider may recommend tapering your dose when discontinuing use rather than stopping cold turkey.It depends on how effective the medication is. A health practitioner will usually prescribe an antidepressant for a period of at least six months, and then re-evaluate your symptoms.Talk to your provider before you stop taking antidepressants. Your depression symptoms may return if you stop taking them too quickly. Your prescribing physician will want to make sure you are in a stable place and that you’ll be able to cope with life stressors once you’re off your medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a personal choice whether to take medication for your depression. Speak to a healthcare provider first. For mild to moderate cases of depression, they may recommend therapy and lifestyle changes before prescribing antidepressants.
Yes. If you have suicidal thoughts, contact a medical professional right away. They may prescribe another medication, such as a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic to reduce suicidal thoughts, as well as recommend further psychological support.
Antidepressants aren’t addictive, but you can become physiologically dependent on them and experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. As a result, a provider may recommend tapering your dose when discontinuing use rather than stopping cold turkey.
It depends on how effective the medication is. A health practitioner will usually prescribe an antidepressant for a period of at least six months, and then re-evaluate your symptoms.
Talk to your provider before you stop taking antidepressants. Your depression symptoms may return if you stop taking them too quickly. Your prescribing physician will want to make sure you are in a stable place and that you’ll be able to cope with life stressors once you’re off your medication.
Signs Your Antidepressant Isn’t Working
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