Antidepressants are substances, often medications, utilized to prevent or treat depression. Among the drugs available are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and tetracyclic antidepressants, among others.Examples of SSRIs include:- Citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil)- Escitalopram oxalate (Cipralex, Lexapro)- Fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox)- Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax)- Fluoxetine (Prozac)- Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral)MAOIs examples include:- Phenelzine (Nardil)- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)Examples of tricyclic antidepressants are:- Clomipramine (Anafranil)- Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane)- Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan)- Imipramine (Tofranil)- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)- Protriptyline (Vivactil)- Trimipramine (Surmontil)The tetracyclic antidepressant available is Maprotiline (Ludiomil).Other antidepressants include:- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)- Buspirone (Buspar)- Duloxetine- Mirtazapine (Remeron, Zispin, Avanza, Norset, Remergil)- Nefazodone (Serzone)- Reboxetine (Edronax, Vestra)- Trazodone (Desyrel)- Venlafaxine (Effexor)Antidepressants should only be considered for severe depression or if other treatments have proven ineffective. Careful monitoring for side effects is essential, and the potential for increased risk of suicide should be taken into account, particularly with newer antidepressants.
