what are the classes of drugs commonly used to treatment depression

What are the most common drugs for depression?

When treating depression, several drugs are available. Some of the most commonly used include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate. Prescription medications used to treat conditions ranging from high blood pressure and high cholesterol to depression, diabetes, asthma, and allergies are some of the most commonly prescribed medications.

What is the best medication for depression?

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What are the classes of depression medication?

There are at least seven types of antidepressant: Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs) And the miscellaneous antidepressants.

What are the top 10 antidepressants?

There are five major classes of antidepressants, and they all work in different ways:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Atypical antidepressants

What classes of drugs are used to treat depression?

Many types of antidepressant medications are available to treat depression, including:Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). ... Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). ... Atypical antidepressants. ... Tricyclic antidepressants. ... Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). ... Other medications.

What drug category is most commonly prescribed to treat depression?

This commonly prescribed type of antidepressant can help you overcome depression. Discover how SSRIs improve mood and what side effects they may cause. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants.

What are three commonly used drugs to treat depression?

SSRIs. This group of drugs, including fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Cipralex) and sertraline (Zoloft), is usually the first choice for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

What are the top 5 medications for depression?

The five well-known, FDA-approved SSRIs to treat depression are:Citalopram (Celexa)Escitalopram (Lexapro)Fluoxetine (Prozac)Paroxetine (Paxil)Sertraline (Zoloft)

What are the 4 types of drugs?

There are four main groups of drugs, divided according to their major effects, plus a few substances that do not easily fit into any category....The main categories are:stimulants (e.g. cocaine)depressants (e.g. alcohol)opium-related painkillers (e.g. heroin)hallucinogens (e.g. LSD)

What are the top 10 medications for depression?

When the researchers checked which depression drugs were tolerated the best, these topped the list:Celexa (citalopram)Lexapro (escitalopram)Prozac (fluoxetine)Trintellix (vortioxetine)Zoloft (sertraline)

What are the top 10 antidepressant drugs?

Their top 12 most popular and effective antidepressants were:Celexa (citalopram)Wellbutrin (bupropion)Paxil (paroxetine)Savella (milnacipran)Prozac (fluoxetine)Cymbalta (duloxetine)Luvox (fluvoxamine)Vestra (reboxetine)More items...•

What chemicals are used to treat depression?

These chemicals include serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Higher levels of these chemicals usually correspond with lower levels of depression. While antidepressants can be helpful in depression, effectiveness varies from patient to patient. How long the drugs stay in your body also varies.

How long do you have to take medication for depression?

In order to prevent a relapse of depression, medicines are generally prescribed for 6 to 12 months after a first-time depression.

What are some examples of TCAs?

Some examples of these drugs includes nortriptyline (Pamelor®), amitriptyline (Elavil®), and imipramine (Tofranil®). Side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include:

Can antidepressants help with depression?

Long-term treatment with antidepressant medicine may be recommended to prevent further episodes of depression in people who have already had two or more episodes of major depression. A history of depression in one’s family is another factor that supports long-term treatment.

Can you take more than one medication?

Sometimes, more than one medicine may be tried before the desired benefits are achieved. You will be monitored closely so that your provider can detect the development of harmful side effects and make the necessary changes. All medications – not just antidepressants – can cause side effects.

Can you drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?

However, all patients should be carefully monitored. Don't drink alcoholic beverages while taking antidepressant medicines. Alcohol may interfere with their beneficial effects.

Can you take depression medicine if you have depression?

If you have had depression before, your provider may prescribe the same medicine that worked for you in the past. If you have a family history of depression, medicines that have been effective in treating your family member (s) may also be considered. Usually you will start taking the medicine at a low dose.

How long does it take for antidepressants to work?

Responses to antidepressants vary, and most antidepressants take 4 to 6 weeks for full effect. About 50% of patients respond to the first treatment, whereas others may have to try a few different types of antidepressants before they find the best one for them.

What age is the most likely to develop depression?

The risk of developing depression is higher in women and people: Aged 45 to 64 years of age or the elderly. With chronic or acute health conditions. Who are undergoing a major life event, such as a job loss, divorce, workplace stress, or physical or mental abuse. With severe grief due to the death of a loved one.

How long does depression last?

Symptoms may vary depending on how severe a person’s depression is but may include: A prolonged and persistent low mood, tearfulness, or a sense of hopelessness that has lasted for at least 2 weeks. Avoidance or refusal to participate in activities that were previously enjoyed. Self-harm or attempts at suicide.

What is it called when you feel sad?

Depression is a mood condition characterized by persistent and overwhelming feelings of sadness that can affect your day-to-day activities and how you think, feel, and behave. Sometimes it can affect your outlook on life and make you feel that life isn’t worth living. Depression may also be called major depressive disorder or clinical depression.

Is depression a blue feeling?

Depression is not just feeling blue occasionally. It affects daily feelings, thoughts, and actions over a longer period. (MDD), can result in difficulties with family life, work, and social activities. Symptoms may vary depending on how severe a person’s depression is but may include:

How to take care of a baby when you are depressed?

Depression can make it hard for a woman to take care of herself and her baby. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your feelings. Also, try to get some help from your family, friends, or a support group. Ask a relative to watch your baby for a few hours. Join a group for new mothers.

What is the drug NMDA?

N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) Antagonist. Neuroactive Steroid Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)-A Receptor Positive Modulator. Read the following information to find out some general facts about the different kinds of medicine for depression. Like all drugs, depression medicine may cause side effects.

How long does it take to feel sad after depression?

These feelings can get in the way of everyday life. Talk to your healthcare provider about your feelings if you have noticed these signs for at least 2 weeks or immediately if you have any dangerous thoughts or behaviors.

Why do women get depressed when pregnant?

No one knows the exact cause of depression during or after pregnancy. It may have something to do with: Stress and sleep problems.

Do antidepressants kill themselves?

Some children and teens who take antidepressants may be more likely to think about hurting or killing themselves when starting treatment or when dose is changed. Call a healthcare provider or 911 if the person: Tries to hurt or kill himself/herself. Talks about specific ways they plan to hurt or kill himself/herself.

What are the different types of medications for depression?

The most common classes of drugs prescribed for depression are: 1 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. 2 Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. 3 Tricyclic antidepressants. 4 Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs.

What are the most common medications for depression?

The most common classes of drugs prescribed for depression are: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. Tricyclic antidepressants.

What antidepressants affect dopamine?

Atypical antidepressants . These medications also affect neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin or norepinephrine to elevate mood, but they don't fit into the chemical categories of the SSRI/SNRI types. The FDA has approved these other medications for use as antidepressants: Bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL).

Why are SSRIs used for depression?

SSRIs are often the first choice of physicians treating depression because they have a proven track record and fewer side effects than other choices. SSRIs block the reuptake (reabsorption) of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a brain chemical that improves mood, making more serotonin available to the brain. “It’s a big mistake to think of all SSRIs ...

Why are MAOI medications prescribed only when other medications have failed?

As with tricyclics, MAOI medications are typically tried only when other medications haven't worked, because they can have serious side effects.

What is the FDA approved drug for depression?

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors , or MAOIs. In 2019, the FDA approved another drug, ketamine, for use in patients with treatment-resistant depression, also known as major depressive disorder, if other meds have been tried and failed to relieve symptoms, especially thoughts of suicide.

Is it better to take antidepressants with psychotherapy?

And it's common for patients to try more than one drug to find the one that works. For many if not most patients, combining an antidepressant with psychotherapy is more effective than taking an antidepressant alone, and it helps address the causes of depression in order to prevent a relapse.

What are the medications used for depression?

Other medications used to treat depression include tricyclics, tetracyclics and monoamine-oxidase inhibitors. While these older medication treatments work in much the same way as the newer treatments, the likelihood of experiencing side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythm, dizziness and headaches is considerably higher.

What are the newer classes of medications used to treat depression?

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors are fairly new classes of medications used to treat depression. These newer treatments cause fewer side effects when compared to the older medications used to treat depression. That being so, some people see little to no benefit from the newer drug treatments in which case older medications often work better.

What is the purpose of norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitors?

Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors. Reuptake inhibitors, in general, prevent brain cells from re-absorbing available neurotransmitter amounts. In effect, each of the three classes of antidepressants helps to conserve neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

What are the three chemicals that regulate mood?

Three neurotransmitters in particular – serotonin, epinephrine and dopamine – play central roles in regulating moods and emotions. Medications used to treat depression act on these three chemicals in the brain.

What is the role of dopamine in depression?

Epinephrine regulates heart rate and blood pressure levels. Dopamine helps regulate a person’s overall sense of well-being. Accordingly, medications used to treat depression fall into one of three groups: Reuptake inhibitors, in general, prevent brain cells from re-absorbing available neurotransmitter amounts.

How does depression affect your life?

Depression disorders can have a debilitating impact on a person’s quality of life. While it may seem like a person’s general outlook fuels depression symptoms, chemical imbalances in the brain exert considerable influence over a person’s mental and emotional state. Antidepressant medications used to treat depression work to restore ...

How do antidepressants work?

Antidepressant medications used to treat depression work to restore the brain’s chemical balance back to normal. Each medication may differ in terms of which brain chemicals it targets and how it affects chemical secretions.

Drugs used to treat Major Depressive Disorder

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Do older people need a lower dose of drugs?

As you age, your body tends to break down drugs more slowly. Thus, older people may need a lower dose. For children, only a few medications have been studied carefully. Health. If you have certain health problems, it's best to avoid certain drugs.

Can alcohol cause depression?

Alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and other substances can cause depression and make antidepressants less effective. Doctors often treat alcohol or drug addiction first if they believe either is causing the depression. In many instances, simultaneous treatment for addiction and depression is warranted.

Should older people take a lower dose of meds?

Thus, older people may need a lower dose . For children, only a few medications have been studied carefully. Health. If you have certain health problems, it's best to avoid certain drugs. For example, your doctor will want to consider factors such as heart disease or neurological illnesses when recommending a drug.

The Evaluation

The evaluation determines so many essential factors that must be included in setting up your treatment plan. Here are some examples of vital information used to treat depression:

Types of Treatment for Depression

There are several types of treatment for depression, each of which involves a unique approach. This is an important aspect of depression treatment, as everyone is unique.

Getting Started

As mentioned, the first step is getting an evaluation by a mental health professional. To schedule your evaluation, call the mental health center to make an appointment. If you aren’t ready to meet with someone in person, you can take advantage of telehealth services and have virtual meetings with a psychiatrist or therapist.