How to Compare Antidepressant Drugs

If there are several antidepressant medications you want to compare, the task could take some time, but in the end you will have learned enough about the medications to understand how each one works and their potential side effects. Since there are many antidepressants and not all of them are going to work well for you, comparing them will prepare you to work with your doctor to find the best medication.

Instructions

• 1

  Devote enough time. Be aware that there are many types of antidepressants and even though some are similar, there is a lot of information to sort through before you can compare the medications.

• 2

  Create a chart. Develop a simple method for keeping track of the information. One way is to make a chart that lists medication names down the left side with columns across the top for other information. At the very least you'll need columns to note side effects, drug interactions, and warnings. Another approach would be to create broad categories such as how the antidepressants work and side effects, then fill in the name of each medication that fits the category. This allows you to look at one factor that concerns you the most (perhaps an interaction with a specific medication you're already taking) and immediately see the names of antidepressants in that category.

• 3

  Find sources. If you already take prescription antidepressants, the pharmacy will provide detailed information. Otherwise, several resources are listed below.

• 4

  Categorize the medications. There are four primary types of antidepressants: tricyclics (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These categories define classes of medications that share similar chemical processes and side effects. If you have specific medications to compare, determining the class they belong to will immediately give you an overview of information. However, each class contains more than one medication and each one will have its own unique profile.

• 5

  Gather safety information for each medication. There may be special warnings that will be prominently posted at the top of the prescribing information. One of the most common warnings for antidepressants is that they may cause thoughts of suicide. Note the side effects and risks associated with each medication. Look to see if they interact with other medications or foods. Notice whether they cause withdrawal symptoms.

• 6

  Record special instructions and other information. You will find information about how long before the medication takes effect and the average length of treatment. Are there special instructions that affect you? For example, has the medication been approved for children or are there special risks for older patients. Are there dietary restrictions?

• 7

  Analyze the information. Now that you've collected and organized the information it's time to compare the antidepressants. Using the chart it will be easy to see similarities, differences, and compare adverse reactions. In the end remember that even if several antidepressant medications have similar characteristics and side effects, they all will not necessarily provide adequate symptom relief for you because they will respond differently to your unique biochemistry. There is often a period of trial and error when taking antidepressants to discover which one works the best for you.