What Are Antidepressants?
As you might guess, antidepressants are medications used to treat
depression. There are many different types of antidepressants, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. Some of these medications are used to treat a wide variety of conditions, some of which are completely unrelated to depression.
There are several types of antidepressants available to treat depression.
These include newer medications, such as:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Miscellaneous other antidepressants.
It is not uncommon for a healthcare provider to try a variety of antidepressants before finding the most effective and best tolerated medication (or combination of medications) for a patient.
Generally, most antidepressants work by increasing certain brain chemicals.
When and How to Use Antidepressants
Some general considerations for when and how to use these medications include the following:
- Follow the instructions your healthcare provider gives you for your particular antidepressant.
- Be aware that it may take awhile (sometimes as long as a month or two) for your medication to start working. You may develop side effects long before you feel any benefit. Try not to become discouraged by this.
- Be sure to take your dosage at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level of medication in your blood.
- For antidepressants to work properly, they must be taken as prescribed. Do not stop taking your antidepressant without your healthcare provider's approval (see Antidepressant Withdrawal).
Dosage of Antidepressants
Each individual antidepressant has specific dosing recommendations. The dosage of different antidepressants cannot be directly compared (for instance, 10 mg of one antidepressant may just be as "strong" as 500 mg of another antidepressant). Please refer to your specific antidepressant within eMedTV for more information about the dosage of your medication.
What Are the Side Effects?
In general, the newer
types of antidepressants (such as
SSRIs and
SNRIs) are less likely to cause side effects than older antidepressants (such as
tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs). However, all antidepressants are capable of causing side effects, which may sometimes be severe. Some of the more well-known antidepressant side effects include:
(Click Side Effects of Antidepressants to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Antidepressants
Most antidepressants can interact with many different medications. Some of these interactions can be quite serious. For more information, see the information for your particular antidepressant within eMedTV.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Antidepressants?
Although each individual antidepressant carries its own warnings and precautions, in general, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using antidepressants if you have:
- Any chronic medical condition
- Bipolar disorder
- A history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Any allergies, including allergies to drugs, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print