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Types of Depression Medication

According to pbs.org, 15 million Americans (8 percent of the population) aged 18 and over suffer from major depression annually. Of these, 80 percent won't seek help for their condition. It is important to know that there are several types of medication available to treat depression. Some people get discouraged by taking one medication with no effect, but psychologists say you may have to try more than one to find a suitable treatment--no pill works for everyone.

  1. Effectiveness of Antidepressants

    • According to helpguide.org, fewer than 50 percent of people taking antidepressants become symptom-free, even after trying two different types. Most people who are on antidepressants slip back into depression, so it is recommended that in addition to antidepressants, you have therapy to get to the underlying cause of your depression. This way you will receive optimum benefits from your medication.

    SSRIs

    • One type of drug used to treat depression is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's). These work on a chemical in your brain called serotonin. Serotonin helps even out moods, in addition to helping with digestion, mental clarity, pain and sleep. There are some side effects associated with SSRIs that include; nausea, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, decreased sex drive, dizziness, fatigue and sleepiness. The most commonly prescribed SSRIs are Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvozmine (Luvox), Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and Citalopram (Celexa).

    Atypical Antidepressants

    • Atypical antidepressants are a newer type of depression medication. They target melatonin and neurotransmitters. Atypical antidepressants affect several brain chemicals, including norepiephrine and dopamine. Side effects for atypical antidepressants include; nausea, fatigue, weight gain, sleepiness, nervousness, dry mouth and blurred vision. Some of the most commonly prescribed atypical antidepressants are Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Mirtazapine (Remeron) and Trazodone (Serzone).

    Tricyclic Antidepressants and MAOIs

    • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have more serious side effects than the other two classes of antidepressants. They are also an older class of antidepressants, so they are only prescribed if atypical antidepressants and SSRIs have failed to bring a result.

      TCAs inhibit re-absorption of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Some well known TCAs are Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Norpramin, Sinequan, Pamelor and Surmontil. These medications can be injected, taken as a pill or mixed with liquids and taken orally.

      MAOIs are some of the oldest antidepressant medications going back to the 1950s. According to Mayoclinic.com, researchers believe that MAOIs relieve depression through preventing the enzyme monoamine oxidase from metabolizing to the neurotransmitters; dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. This results in higher serotonin levels in the brain, which in turn boosts your mood. Some MAOI brand names include Nardil, Parnate, Marplan and Emsam. Emsam is the first skin patch used to treat depression. The medication is absorbed through the skin of the upper arm within a 24-hour period.

    Finding the Right Antidepressant

    • Your physician will chose the type of medication that will give you the best results, depending on the side effects, the cost, your health insurance coverage, your age, whether or not your're pregnant or breastfeeding, and other medical or psychiatric conditions. In addition to this, you may have a blood test called Cytochrome P450 to check genetic factors that influence your responsiveness to certain types of antidepressants.

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