Antidepressants are medications used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. There are several types of antidepressants, each with their own unique mechanism of action and potential side effects. Here is a full guide to antidepressants, including their uses and side effects.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant. They work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. SSRIs are often used to treat depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Common SSRIs include:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Side effects of SSRIs may include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Sexual dysfunction
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) SNRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. They are often used to treat depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Common SNRIs include:
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Side effects of SNRIs may include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) TCAs are an older class of antidepressants that work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. They are often used to treat depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Common TCAs include:
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Side effects of TCAs may include:
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Weight gain
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) MAOIs work by blocking the action of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. They are often used to treat depression and anxiety.
Common MAOIs include:
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Side effects of MAOIs may include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Hypertension
- Weight gain
- Atypical antidepressants Atypical antidepressants do not fit into any of the above categories. They work by various mechanisms, such as blocking the reuptake of dopamine, inhibiting the breakdown of norepinephrine and dopamine, or blocking certain receptors in the brain. They are often used to treat depression and anxiety.
Common atypical antidepressants include:
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Trazodone (Desyrel)
Side effects of atypical antidepressants may include:
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Weight gain
- Sexual dysfunction
It's important to note that antidepressants can take several weeks to start working, and it may take several different medications or combinations of medications to find the right one for you. Additionally, some people may experience withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing antidepressants, so it's important to