How to Select an Antidepressant

Antidepressant medications are commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe forms of depression. When combined with psychotherapy, they have been proven effective at reducing or eliminating depression symptoms. Since no single antidepressant works for everyone, working closely with your health care professional can usually result in finding one that works for you. Here are some steps to help in your selection process.

Instructions

• 1

  Undergo a blood test known as cytochrome P450. This detects certain genetic factors that can determine which antidepressants may not work for you, as well as what possible side effects you might experience. The test, however, does not indicate which antidepressant is best for you.

• 2

  Consult with your doctor or psychiatrist to select a suitable antidepressant with which to begin treatment. Start with relatively low dosages of a medication that is known to be effective and should result in minimal side effects. Some common antidepressants are Celexa, which is often prescribed to the elderly because of its lack of side effects, and Zoloft, which is given to patients who suffer from milder depression and results in fewer side effects. Paxil is prescribed to patients who also suffer from accompanying anxiety disorders, and Prozac is supplied to patients whose depression is accompanied by fatigue.

• 3

  Follow up with your doctor after a period of time, normally four to six weeks. The time frame could vary depending on factors such as the type of medication prescribed and the severity of the depression. Note any side effects during this time and report them immediately if they are severe or do not go away.

• 4

  Talk to your doctor about adjusting the medication if results are not showing. This could include increasing the dosage, adding another medication or changing medications completely. It may be necessary to repeat this step until the proper medication or combination of medications is found.