Antidepressants List

The use of antidepressant drugs is the conventional treatment for people wanting relief from mental problems that include anxiety, depression, mood disorders and panic attacks. If the lows of life cannot be handled, it is bound to make the person sad and depressed. However, overcoming depression does not simply mean popping these pills one after another. Besides taking these depression medications in the right dosage as instructed by the doctor, one should inculcate a positive mindset and shun those negative thoughts to get rid of depression symptoms. Information about antidepressants list is given below:

List of Antidepressants

There are different types of antidepressants and each work differently to improve depression symptoms. The following antidepressants lists categorizes these drugs into 4 main types. Depression medication names are discussed below:

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
SSRIs are antidepressants that do the job of increasing serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin is a chemical manufactured in the brain and is responsible for regulating mood, sleep and appetite. Serotonin and depression are related as suggested in some studies. It is observed that people with emotional disorders like depression and anxiety have abnormally low serotonin levels. Correcting chemical imbalance in the brain, can help to alleviate depression symptoms. The brain cells commonly use serotonin to communicate and interact amongst each other. When the brain cells sends an electrical signal, it secretes serotonin. Although a major part of serotonin carries the signal, small amounts of the chemical is again absorbed by the brain cells. This re-absorption of serotonin reduces its concentration in the brain. SSRIs restrict the brain cells from re-absorbing (reuptake) serotonin. In this way, SSRI antidepressants elevate serotonin levels, thereby helping to improve mental disorders like depression. Following are the SSRIs included in antidepressants list:

• Zoloft (Sertraline)
• Paxil (Paroxetine)
• Luvox (Fluvoxamine)
• Celexa (Citalopram)
• Prozac (Fluoxetine)
• Cipralex (Escitalopram)

Tricyclics
These antidepressants work on the same principle as that of SSRIs. Low norepinephrine levels has been linked to depression. Tricyclics work on both these chemicals to lower depression. Tricyclics are considered to be more powerful than SSRIs as their effect stimulates production of two brain chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine. Hence, they are usually prescribed to treat major depressive disorder. Antidepressants list contains the following tricyclics given below:

• Pamelor (Nortriptyline)
• Elavil (Amitriptyline)
• Tofranil (Imipramine)
• Anafranil (Clomipramine)
• Pertofrane (Desipramine)
• Surmontil (Trimipramine)
• Ludiomil (Maprotiline)
• Endep (Amitriptyline)
• Sinequan (Doxepin)
• Directim (Amineptine)
• Protriptyline (Vivactil)
• Nitroxazepine (Sintamil)
• Lofepramine (Gamanil)
• Metapramine (Timaxel)

MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
MAOIs belong to yet another class of antidepressants that interfere with the functioning of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that brings about oxidation of monoamines such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. As we all know, monoamines are brain chemicals that do the job of transmitting electrical signals from one neuron to another. However, the already used monamines lying in the space between two neurons are subjected to oxidation. This decreases the level of all three monoamines in the brain. MAOIs prevent the enzyme from oxidizing these monoamines, which helps to increase their concentration, thereby allowing the person to combat depression effectively. Following MAOIs have been added in the antidepressants list:

• Nardil (Phenelzine)
• Manerix (Moclobemide)
• Parnate (Tranylcypromine)

SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)
As aforementioned, serotonin and norepinephrine are chemicals that promote communication amongst brain cells. Studies suggest that these brain chemicals do not function correctly in patients suffering from depression. Also, the concentration level of these brain chemicals is less than normal in these patients. All these issues can be resolved with SNRIs that help to elevate mood. Some of them are given below:

• Venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Milnacipran (Dalcipran)
• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
• Desipramine (Norpramine)

Side Effects of Antidepressants

Although these medications provide relief from depression, they are not free from side effects. The severity of these unexpected medical occurrences may vary from mild to moderate, bothersome to burdensome, depending upon individual health. It also depends on which type of antidepressant the person is taking. However, in general, some of the common antidepressant side effects are dry mouth, nausea, weight gain, difficulty in sleeping, abdominal pain, impotence and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. Worrisome side effects such as blood pressure raising to abnormally levels are associated with MAOIs and tricyclics.

As aforementioned, antidepressants produce side effects, some of which are serious, especially in patients put on MAOIs. As a result, MAOIs are usually not prescribed for the treatment of depression. Although antidepressants list makes us aware of different medications available for depression, in most cases, SSRIs are recommended for patients suffering from mental disorders. SSRIs are relatively safe and side effects associated with them are usually not a cause for concern.