What is an antidepressant?
Antidepressant medicines are drugs that may provide relief from
conditions such as:
- depression
- anxiety and panic
- obsessive compulsive disorders
- PMS
- seasonal affective disorder.
Antidepressants are not "uppers." They help you feel the way you
did before you became depressed.
Are there different kinds?
There are many different kinds of antidepressants:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as
citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine
(Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil)
- tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil),
nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor), amitriptyline (Elavil),
doxepin (Sinequan), and desipramine (Norpramin)
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as tranylcypromine
(Parnate), and phenelzine (Nardil)
- other antidepressants such as mirtazapine (Remeron),
venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and bupropion
(Wellbutrin).
How do they work?
The brain is made up of billions of neurons (cells) that
communicate with each other. This affects other parts of the body.
Neurotransmitters are chemical substances in the brain. The kinds
and amounts of these substances control how neurons communicate.
Too much or too little of these neurotransmitters may lead to
depression. Using medicines to treat these imbalances may help
return your life to normal.
Not all antidepressant medicines affect your brain chemistry in the
same way. Different medicines affect different neurotransmitters.
Your healthcare provider will work with you to carefully select the
right medicine for you.
What are the risks and benefits?
Antidepressants may make other kinds of treatment more effective.
If you are too depressed to talk, you may not seek psychotherapy or
counseling. The right medicine may help you get the treatment that
is most effective for you.
You may notice improvement in the first couple of weeks. However,
it often takes 6 to 8 weeks before you notice real change.
Antidepressant dosages must be carefully adjusted to lessen
troublesome side effects. Some side effects may be serious, such as
severe nervousness, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, or diarrhea.
Some side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and
bad taste are minor. They may decrease as your body adjusts to the
medicine. Your provider may change your medicine to avoid some side
effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects
that continue or get worse.
Do not stop taking these medicines unless your healthcare provider
tells you to do so. If you take them for a long time, you may have
withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them too quickly.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
Seek professional help if:
- Symptoms of depression do not improve after a few weeks.
- The symptoms get worse.
- You have side effects that you think may be caused by the
medicine.
If you have questions or problems related to your medicine, talk
with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File BEHA4253.HTM Release 11.0/2008
© 2008 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
© 2008 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
