Antidepressants

Antidepressants are medications designed to treat depression and related mood disorders. They help balance chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. Many antidepressants also address anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Choosing the right antidepressant can depend on individual symptoms, side effects, and other health conditions.

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic that works well as an add-on for depression. It helps improve mood and motivation. It is often prescribed when other antidepressants are not enough.

Bupropion SR is a sustained-release form of bupropion. It is unique because it does not cause weight gain or sexual side effects common with other antidepressants. It can also help with smoking cessation and ADHD.

Celexa (citalopram) belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is known for having fewer side effects and good tolerance. Celexa is used for depression and anxiety disorders.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It is effective in treating both depression and nerve pain. It is often preferred for patients with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.

Desyrel (trazodone) is used mainly for depression and insomnia. It works as a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor. Trazodone is known for its sedative effects, so it is often prescribed at bedtime.

Effexor and Effexor XR (venlafaxine) are SNRIs widely used for major depression, anxiety, and panic disorder. The extended-release version offers more stable blood levels, reducing side effects.

Elavil (amitriptyline) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It is effective but has a higher risk of side effects such as dry mouth and drowsiness. It is also used off-label for migraine prevention and nerve pain.

Endep is another tricyclic antidepressant, also known as amitriptyline in some regions. It has the same uses and side effects, often prescribed for depression and chronic pain issues.

Eskalith (lithium) is primarily a mood stabilizer but is important in treating bipolar disorder with depressive episodes. It requires close monitoring due to potential toxicity.

Geodon (ziprasidone) is primarily an antipsychotic. Sometimes it is prescribed alongside antidepressants to augment therapy, especially in treatment-resistant depression.

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a well-tolerated SSRI. It is similar to Celexa but is considered more potent and is used widely for depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

Luvox (fluvoxamine) is mainly prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder but also treats depression. It is an SSRI that has good efficacy for anxiety-related conditions.

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant often used for depression, nerve pain, and sometimes smoking cessation. It tends to have fewer side effects compared to other TCAs.

Pamelor (nortriptyline) is a brand of the same drug with identical uses and effects. It is chosen for treatment-resistant depression and neuropathic pain.

Paxil and Paxil CR (paroxetine) are SSRIs with strong antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. The controlled-release version may reduce side effects like drowsiness.

Remeron (mirtazapine) is unique due to its sedating properties and ability to stimulate appetite. It is suitable for patients with insomnia or weight loss due to depression.

Risnia is less common but classed as an antipsychotic antidepressant. It is more often used for mood disorders where psychosis is present.

Risperdal (risperidone) is another antipsychotic sometimes used as an adjunct to antidepressants for treatment-resistant depression, especially when psychotic symptoms occur.

Seroquel (quetiapine) has dual use as an antipsychotic and antidepressant adjunct. It is often prescribed to treat bipolar depression and major depressive disorder resistant to monotherapy.

Sinequan (doxepin) is a tricyclic antidepressant known for strong sedative effects. It is also used for insomnia and anxiety symptoms within depression.

Tofranil (imipramine) is an older tricyclic antidepressant. Its uses include depression and nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) in children.

Venlor is a brand name for venlafaxine, similar to Effexor. It covers depression, anxiety, and panic disorder with effective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition.

Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin SR (bupropion) are known for their activating effects and use in depression, fatigue, and smoking cessation. They have less sexual side effects and weight gain than many SSRIs.

Zyprexa (olanzapine) is an antipsychotic sometimes combined with antidepressants to improve outcomes in resistant depression and bipolar disorder. Weight gain and metabolic side effects need monitoring.

Overall, antidepressants differ in mechanism, benefits, and side effect profiles. SSRIs like Lexapro, Celexa, and Paxil are common first choices. SNRIs such as Cymbalta and Effexor offer broader symptom coverage. Tricyclics are effective but less frequently used due to side effects. Atypical antipsychotics like Abilify, Seroquel, and Zyprexa play important roles in augmentation and mood stabilization. Choosing the right medication requires careful evaluation by a healthcare professional based on individual needs and response.