Antidepressants: Medicine for Depression
Key points
- Antidepressants are medicines used to help people who have depression.
- Most antidepressants are believed to work by slowing the removal of certain chemicals from the brain.
- Antidepressants are typically taken for at least 4 to 6 months.
- Like most medicines, antidepressant drugs can cause side effects.
What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants are medicines used to help people who have depression. Most people with depression get better with treatment that includes these medicines.
How do antidepressants work?
Most antidepressants are believed to work by slowing the removal of certain chemicals from the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are needed for normal brain function. Antidepressants help people with depression by making these natural chemicals more available to the brain.
How long will I have to take an antidepressant?
Antidepressants are typically taken for at least 4 to 6 months. In some cases, patients and their doctors may decide that antidepressants are needed for a longer time.
Do antidepressants have side effects?
Like most medicines, antidepressant drugs can cause side effects. Not all people get these side effects. Any side effects you have will depend on the medicine your doctor has chosen for you. Your doctor will talk to you about your medicine.
What are the different kinds of antidepressants?
There are many different kinds of antidepressants, including:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (tricyclics)
- Others
SSRIs
SSRIs are a group of antidepressants that includes drugs such as citalopram (brand name: Celexa), Fluoxetine (brand name: Prozac), Paroxetine (brand name: Paxil) and sertraline (brand name: Zoloft). These medicines tend to have fewer side effects than the tricyclics. Some of the side effects that can be caused by SSRIs include dry mouth, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, headache and sexual problems. People taking fluoxetine might also have a feeling of being unable to sit still. People taking paroxetine might feel tired. People taking sertraline might have runny stools and diarrhea.
Tricyclics
The tricyclics have been used to treat depression for a long time. They include amitriptyline (brand name: Elavil), desipramine (brand name: Norpramin), imipramine (brand name: Tofranil), nortriptyline (brand names: Aventyl, Pamelor) and trimipramine (brand name: Surmentil). Common side effects caused by these medicines include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, worsening of glaucoma, impaired thinking and tiredness. These antidepressants can also affect a person's blood pressure and heart rate.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Mental Health →
NewsGenetic variation of stress hormone receptor may affect vulnerability to major depression
Scientists are beginning to unwrap the biology behind why some people are more prone to major depression and other psychiatric disorders than others when experiencing stressful life events. The researchers found that…
4 June 2015
NewsUAlberta research helps youth cope with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts
Peter Silverstone knows that, of all his professional accomplishments, none are more important than the work he's doing right now. "I said to my wife that this is probably the most important thing I'll ever do in my…
3 June 2015
NewsDepression associated with 5-fold increased mortality risk in heart failure patients
Moderate to severe depression is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of all cause mortality in patients with heart failure, according to research presented today at Heart Failure 2015. The results from OPERA-HF show…
