Depression and Medication
What Drugs Are Used to Treat Depression?
When treating depression, a wide variety of drugs are available. The most commonly used class of medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); having name brands such as: Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac and Zoloft. These medications are all available and can be prescribed as generic formulations.
Some atypical medications with unique mechanisms are also used to treat depression. Wellbutrin or (generic formulation) Buproprione is the most commonly prescribed in this category. Another atypical medication for depression is a class of medications called ‘MAO Inhibitors’. (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs). These medications include: Nardil, Parnate and other name brands. Use of MAOIs are uncommon due to possible significant side effects and stringent requirements to alter diet and lifestyle.
Use of an older class of antidepressant medications known as tricyclics / tetracyclics (grouped together as ‘cyclics’) is uncommon, but sometimes prescribed in cases where a person is not responding to an SSRI or other atypical medications or combination of medications. Tricyclic medications have been largely replaced by the SSRI’s due to their having many common and unpleasant side effects.
Some names of cyclic medications (with generic names): Amitriptyline, Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Nortriptyline (Pamel.
You and your health care provider can determine which drug is right for you. Remember that antidepressant medications usually take four to eight weeks to become fully effective. And, if one medication does not work there are many others to try.
In some cases, a combination of antidepressants may be necessary. Sometimes an antidepressant combined with a second antidepressant from a different class, or a different type of medication altogether, such as a mood stabilizer (like lithium) or atypical antipsychotic (like Seroquel or Abilify) can boost the effect of an antidepressant alone.
