Antidepressant Uses

Antidepressants are most commonly used for treating depression. However, these medications can also be used for other conditions as well. For example, newer antidepressants (such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs) have been approved for treating conditions such as panic disorder, bulimia, and social anxiety disorder. General off-label antidepressant uses include the treatment of Tourette syndrome, autism, migraines, and premature ejaculation.

Information on Antidepressants

What Are Antidepressants Used For?

As would be expected, the most common use for most antidepressants is depression treatment. However, most antidepressants are approved for treating other conditions as well. These uses vary with the different types of antidepressants.

SSRI, SNRI, or NDRI Antidepressant Uses

Various

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have been approved for the following uses:

Bulimia
Depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Panic disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Social anxiety disorder.

Not all SSRIs are approved for all of the uses listed above (see Comparisons of SSRI Antidepressants for more information).

Various SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are approved for the following uses:

Depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Panic disorder
Peripheral diabetic neuropathy pain (nerve pain in the hands, feet, arms, or legs due to diabetes)
Social phobia (also known as social anxiety disorder).

Not all SNRIs are approved for all of the uses listed above.

NDRIs (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors) have been approved to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and for use as a smoking cessation agent (to help people stop smoking). Currently, there is only one NDRI medication, bupropion, approved for use in the United States.

Bupropion comes in several forms (Aplenzin™, Budeprion XL^®, Budeprion™ SR, Buproban^®, Forfivo™ XL, Wellbutrin SR^®, Wellbutrin XL^®, Wellbutrin^®, Zyban^®). Aplenzin, Budeprion SR, Wellbutrin SR, Forfivo, and Wellbutrin are approved only for depression treatment. Budeprion XL and Wellbutrin XL are approved for treating depression and seasonal affective disorder. Zyban and Buproban are approved for smoking cessation only.

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