| Venlafaxine XR -
Venlafaxine XR 37.500 mg, Venlafaxine XR 75 mg, Venlafaxine XR 150 mg |
| Escitalopram -
Escitalopram 5 mg, Escitalopram 10 mg, Escitalopram 20 mg |
| Wellbutrin XL -
Wellbutrin XL 150 mg, Wellbutrin XL 300 mg |
| Cymbalta -
Cymbalta 20 mg, Cymbalta 30 mg, Cymbalta 60 mg |
| Sertraline -
Sertraline 25 mg, Sertraline 50 mg, Sertraline 100 mg |
| Duloxetine -
Duloxetine 20 mg, Duloxetine 30 mg, Duloxetine 40 mg, Duloxetine 60 mg |
| Bupropion SR -
Bupropion SR 100 mg, Bupropion SR 150 mg, Bupropion SR 200 mg |
| Citalopram -
Citalopram 10 mg, Citalopram 20 mg, Citalopram 40 mg |
| Prozac -
Prozac 10 mg, Prozac 20 mg, Prozac 40 mg |
| Fluoxetine -
Fluoxetine 10 mg, Fluoxetine 20 mg, Fluoxetine 40 mg |
| Effexor XR -
Effexor XR 37.500 mg, Effexor XR 75 mg, Effexor XR 150 mg |
| Paroxetine CR -
Paroxetine CR 12.500 mg, Paroxetine CR 25 mg, Paroxetine CR 37.500 mg |
| Zoloft -
Zoloft 25 mg, Zoloft 50 mg, Zoloft 100 mg |
| Trimipramine -
Trimipramine 12.500 mg, Trimipramine 25 mg, Trimipramine 50 mg, Trimipramine 100 mg |
| Cipralex -
Cipralex 10 mg, Cipralex 20 mg |
| Parnate -
Parnate 10 mg |
| Trazodone -
Trazodone 25 mg, Trazodone 50 mg, Trazodone 100 mg, Trazodone 150 mg, Trazodone 300 mg |
| Paroxetine -
Paroxetine 10 mg, Paroxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 30 mg, Paroxetine 40 mg |
| Wellbutrin SR -
Wellbutrin SR 100 mg, Wellbutrin SR 150 mg, Wellbutrin SR 200 mg |
| Venlafaxine -
Venlafaxine 37.500 mg, Venlafaxine 75 mg |
| Fluvoxamine -
Fluvoxamine 25 mg, Fluvoxamine 50 mg, Fluvoxamine 100 mg |
| Nardil -
Nardil 15 mg |
| Mirtazapine -
Mirtazapine 15 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Mirtazapine 45 mg |
| Lithium -
Lithium 150 mg, Lithium 300 mg, Lithium 600 mg |
| Imipramine -
Imipramine 10 mg, Imipramine 25 mg, Imipramine 50 mg, Imipramine 75 mg |
| Desyrel -
Desyrel 50 mg, Desyrel 100 mg, Desyrel 150 mg, Desyrel 300 mg |
| Moclobemide -
Moclobemide 100 mg, Moclobemide 150 mg, Moclobemide 300 mg |
| Remeron -
Remeron 15 mg, Remeron 30 mg, Remeron 45 mg |
| Aventyl -
Aventyl 10 mg, Aventyl 25 mg |
| Remeron RD -
Remeron RD 15 mg, Remeron RD 30 mg, Remeron RD 45 mg |
| Luvox -
Luvox 25 mg, Luvox 50 mg, Luvox 100 mg |
| Wellbutrin -
Wellbutrin 75 mg, Wellbutrin 100 mg |
| Desipramine -
Desipramine 10 mg, Desipramine 25 mg, Desipramine 50 mg, Desipramine 75 mg, Desipramine 100 mg, Desipramine 150 mg |
| Nefazodone -
Nefazodone 50 mg, Nefazodone 100 mg, Nefazodone 150 mg, Nefazodone 200 mg, Nefazodone 250 mg |
| Lithium SR -
Lithium SR 300 mg, Lithium SR 450 mg |
| Sinequan -
Sinequan 10 mg, Sinequan 25 mg, Sinequan 50 mg, Sinequan 75 mg, Sinequan 100 mg |
| Anafranil -
Anafranil 10 mg, Anafranil 25 mg, Anafranil 50 mg, Anafranil 75 mg |
| Celexa -
Celexa 10 mg, Celexa 20 mg, Celexa 40 mg |
| Bupropion -
Bupropion 75 mg, Bupropion 100 mg |
| Paxil -
Paxil 10 mg, Paxil 20 mg, Paxil 30 mg |
| Doxepin -
Doxepin 10 mg, Doxepin 25 mg, Doxepin 50 mg, Doxepin 75 mg, Doxepin 100 mg, Doxepin 150 mg |
| Nortriptyline -
Nortriptyline 10 mg, Nortriptyline 25 mg, Nortriptyline 50 mg, Nortriptyline 75 mg |
| Paxil CR -
Paxil CR 12.500 mg, Paxil CR 25 mg, Paxil CR 37.500 mg |
| Perphenazine/Amitriptyline -
Perphenazine/Amitriptyline 2mg/10mg |
| Fluoxetine oral solution -
Fluoxetine oral solution 20mg/5mL |
| Manerix -
Manerix 100 mg, Manerix 150 mg, Manerix 300 mg |
| Tofranil -
Tofranil 25 mg, Tofranil 50 mg |
| Effexor -
Effexor 25 mg, Effexor 37.500 mg, Effexor 50 mg, Effexor 75 mg, Effexor 100 mg |
| Amoxapine -
Amoxapine 50 mg, Amoxapine 100 mg |
| Ascendin -
Ascendin 50 mg |
| Carbolith -
Carbolith 150 mg, Carbolith 300 mg, Carbolith 600 mg |
| Clomipramine -
Clomipramine 10 mg, Clomipramine 25 mg, Clomipramine 50 mg, Clomipramine 75 mg |
| Duralith -
Duralith 300 mg |
| Etrafon A -
Etrafon A 10mg/4mg |
| Etrafon F -
Etrafon F 25mg/4mg |
| Levazine -
Levazine 2mg/25mg |
| Lexapro -
Lexapro 5 mg |
| Maprotiline -
Maprotiline 25 mg, Maprotiline 50 mg, Maprotiline 75 mg |
| Norpramin -
Norpramin 25 mg, Norpramin 50 mg, Norpramin 150 mg |
| Pamelor -
Pamelor 25 mg, Pamelor 50 mg |
| Paxil suspension -
Paxil suspension 10mg/5mL |
| Prozac Liquid -
Prozac Liquid 20mg/5ml |
| Prozac Weekly -
Prozac Weekly 90 mg |
| Sarafem -
Sarafem 10 mg, Sarafem 20 mg |
| Surmontil -
Surmontil 12.500 mg, Surmontil 50 mg, Surmontil 100 mg |
What is an Anti-Depressant?
An anti-depressant is a prescribed psychiatric medication used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety attacks, post-traumatic stress, and mood disorders. Scientists have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of depression and related disorders, but they believe that low levels of certain neurotransmitters- serotonin and norepinephrine- greatly affect a person's mood. Anti-depressants work by accelerating the activity of certain neurotransmitters.
Types of Anti-Depressants
Many options for treatment are available, and each type of anti-depressant medication works differently, though they all influence select neurotransmitters. It is important to note that therapeutic effects of all anti-depressant medication vary with each individual case. This is due to a person's genetic makeup and sensitivity to anti-depressants, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
MAOIs. MAO inhibitors, or MAOIs, disrupt the function of monoamine oxidate (MAO), a natural enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters. This action causes an increase in the amount of neurotransmitters in the synapse, allowing more messages to transmit between neurons. MAOIs are often reserved as a last line of defense due to their potentially lethal drug and dietary interaction. A new line of MAOIs recently emerged on the market as a safe alternative. However, reports have shown in some cases they are not as effective as their predecessors.
Types of MAOIs include:
- Phenylzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Tricyclics. Tricyclic Anti-depressants (TCAs) prevent the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine by brain cells. To a certain extent, they can also prevent the reabsorption of dopamine. TCAs also block other cell receptors, causing many unwanted side effects. Because of this, many doctors have chosen to replace TCAs with SSRIs and SNRIs when prescribing treatment.
Types of TCAs include:
- Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan)
- Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
SSRIs. Select Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed anti-depressant medication. Scientists believe they relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin by brain cells, increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Unlike TCAs, SSRIs affect only the serotonin levels in the brain, leaving other neurotransmitters unaffected.
Types of SSRIs include:
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Excitalopram oxalate (Lexapro)
SNRIs. Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are dual uptake inhibitors that increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters into brain cells. This allows for more serotonin and norepinephrine to remain in the brain, causing elevation in mood. Unlike TCAs, they do not interfere with other brain cells, causing less drastic side effects.
Types of SNRIs include:
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
Side Effects
Side effects of antidepressants vary depending upon the person taking the drug. A person may do well on one type of medication, yet experience side effects with another. It is important to talk with your doctor about potential side effects as well as keep him informed if side effects do occur.
Some potential side effects of anti-depressants are as follows:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Sleep Disturbances
- Headache
- Increase or decrease in appetite
- Weakness
- Restlessness
- Decrease in sexual function
- Blurred vision
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Low Blood pressure
- Lightheadedness