Antidepressants can help relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Common examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Antidepressants work by increasing neurotransmitters in the brain. Experts believe these brain chemicals are responsible for changes in mood and behavior.
This article covers the types of antidepressants, how they work, their side effects, other uses, and alternative options.
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Doctors tend to divide antidepressants into different types. These include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a
Examples of SSRIs include:
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
- fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs are a newer class of antidepressants compared with SSRIs. However, they work similarly.
Doctors
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- anxiety disorders
- menopausal symptoms
- fibromyalgia
- chronic neuropathic pain
Examples of SNRIs include:
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Doctors may recommend TCAs for:
- depression
- fibromyalgia
- some types of anxiety
- insomnia
- chronic pain
Examples of TCAs
- amitriptyline
- amoxapine
- clomipramine (Anafranil)
- desipramine (Norpramin)
- doxepin (Sinequan)
- imipramine (Tofranil)
- nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- protriptyline (Vivactil)
- trimipramine (Surmontil)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Due to their adverse side effects and drug interactions, doctors
Examples include:
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl)
Noradrenaline and specific serotoninergic antidepressants (NaSSAs)
Doctors prescribe NaSSAs
Examples include mirtazapine (Remeron, Avanza, Zispin) and mianserin (Tolvon). Mianserin is not available in the United States.
Different antidepressants have different side effects. However, not everyone experiences them.
SSRI and SNRI side effects
SSRIs and SNRIs can lead to:
- nausea
- indigestion
- headache
- sexual dysfunction
SNRIs can also
TCA side effects
TCAs may have the following
MAOI side effects
MAOIs can interact with other drugs. For example, if a person combines an MAOI with an SSRI, it
MAOIs can also
- dry mouth
- diarrhea
- nausea
- drowsiness
- constipation
- dizziness
- insomnia
- lightheadedness
- sexual dysfunction
MAOIs prevent the breakdown of tyramine. If a person consumes foods that contain tyramine, such as sausages, dried fish, and overripe fruit, it
Learn more about tyramine-free foods.
NaSSA side effects
These antidepressants can lead to side effects similar to SSRIs and SNRIs. NaSSAs can also cause drowsiness and weight gain. They are
Rarer side effects
Rarer side effects of antidepressants include:
- Suicidal thoughts: According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), young adults and children may have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts when they first start taking antidepressants. If side effects are very unpleasant or include thinking about suicide, the person should speak with a doctor immediately.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Some people who take SSRIs and SNRIs experience some withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the medication. Withdrawal symptoms can last for
1–2 weeks and include:- anxiety
- dizziness
- nightmares or vivid dreams
- electric shock-like sensations in the body
- flu-like symptoms
- abdominal pain
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Antidepressants tend to be effective. However, everyone responds to medication differently.
According to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care,
The research notes that the more severe the depression, the greater the benefits of antidepressants may be.
People may wish to try the following:
Therapy
People with depression may wish to undergo therapy. Types of therapy that can help treat depression include:
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- interpersonal therapy
- problem-solving therapy
Learn more about available mental health resources.
St. John’s wort
Hypericum, made from the herb St. John’s wort, might help relieve depression in some people. It is available over the counter as a supplement.
However, there are some possible risks associated with taking hypericum:
- If combined with certain antidepressants, it can lead to a potentially life threatening increase in serotonin.
- It can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- It might reduce the effectiveness of some prescription medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, some heart medications, warfarin, and some therapies for HIV and cancer.
If a person plans to take St. John’s wort, they should first talk with a doctor or pharmacist.
Light box
People who experience seasonal affective disorder may benefit from light therapy.
It involves sitting in front of a light box first thing in the morning for
Diet and exercise
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that regular physical activity can reduce a person’s risk of depression. People may wish to try three exercise sessions per week for
Learn more about exercise as a treatment option for depression.
People may also benefit from eating a balanced, nutritious diet full of fresh and whole foods. They may wish to avoid or limit refined and processed foods.
While different antidepressants work in different ways, they all affect neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals brain cells use to communicate with each other.
Antidepressants work in the
- SSRIs: These prevent serotonin from returning to where it came from, also known as preventing serotonin reuptake. This encourages serotonin to bind to its receptor to transmit a signal in the brain.
- SNRIs: These work the same as SSRIs, except they work on both serotonin and norepinephrine.
- TCAs: These work the same as SNRIs, except they are less effective at blocking norepinephrine reuptake than serotonin reuptake.
- MAOIs: These target the brain enzyme monoamine oxidase, which helps break down neurotransmitters such as serotonin. This can lead to more stabilized moods and less anxiety.
According to the NHS, people may begin to feel the benefits of an antidepressant after 1–2 weeks if they have not missed a dose.
Some people may stop taking their antidepressant because they believe the medication is not working. However, it is important to keep taking the medication exactly as a doctor prescribes.
If a person has not noticed any benefit after 4 weeks, they should speak with a doctor.
Below are some commonly asked questions about antidepressants.
Which antidepressant is right for me?
There are many types of antidepressants. They all work differently and have different benefits, risks, and side effects.
A person can speak with a doctor about their individual circumstances. The doctor can help them find the best treatment option for them.
Are antidepressants safe during pregnancy?
The
For some people, the risks associated with stopping the medication are higher than those associated with continuing to take it.
If a person is pregnant and wishes to continue or begin taking antidepressants, they should speak with a doctor.
Tiny amounts of some antidepressants can enter breast milk. However, the
How long should I stay on antidepressants?
According to the NHS, doctors typically suggest a person takes antidepressants for at least 6 months.
People should take their antidepressants exactly as their doctor has prescribed.
Antidepressants can help relieve symptoms of conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. They work by increasing neurotransmitters in the brain.
Examples of antidepressants include SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and NaSSAs. MAOIs may also be an option, though doctors prescribe these less often due to the risk of adverse side effects.
It can take several weeks for antidepressants to start working. People may experience side effects.
Alternatives to antidepressants include therapy, diet and exercise, and St. John’s wort. However, depression is a serious condition that may need professional treatment. Anyone who experiences the symptoms of depression should speak with a doctor.