Understand Different Type of Antidepressant Medications

There are different types of antidepressant medications available in the market for depression treatment. These medications include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), novel antidepressants, and tetracyclic antidepressants.

MAOIs function by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, a complex enzyme system that metabolizes excess serotonin and epinephrine. It holds the negativity of inducing potential life-threatening problems and therefore cannot be used in patients with congestive cardiac failure or in those with a history of liver disease. It is unsafe for those who are hypersensitive to its ingredients. Apart from that, it should be used only after other available antidepressant medications options to treat depression.

TCAs work mainly by inhibiting the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin. In fact, patient experiences quite similar side effects from MAOIs and TCAs. However, the frequency of TCAs side effects is much lesser than MAOIs and thus TCAs enjoy a higher acceptance rate by the patients. The potential side effects of TCAs include allergic reactions, blood cell problems, blurred vision, dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, difficulty with urination, sexual dysfunction, sweating, muscle twitches, rash, dizziness, tremors etc.

SSRIs serve by inhibiting the serotonin reuptake and are considered the most popular, effective and safe prescription medications. Prozac, a drug of this class, has shown significant success in the treatment of depression and prevention of suicide. It exhibits less potential side effects as compared to TCAs and MAOIs, and is well tolerated.

SNRIs (desipramine, duloxetine, nefazodone, and venlafaxine) serve a depression patient by aiming to keep both serotonin and norepinephrine at the right level. Nefazodone alleviates anxiety, causes some sedation and positively affects sleep. Venlafaxine (Effexor) has significant anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary hesitancy, and constipation, induces sedation and has potential withdrawal effects.

The drug bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR) is the most commonly used member of the novel antidepressant class. It is unique in its efficiency to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

The most common adverse effects of mirtazapine, a tetracyclic antidepressant include increased appetite, weight gain, lethargy and dizziness. Mirtazapine acts by increasing the amount of noradrenaline and serotonin, and is of benefit in particular for the treatment of depression accompanied with anxiety, agitation and /or sleep disturbances.

We need to aware that these therapeutic groups noramlly share the similarity of relieving depressive symptoms in the same period of time, about 1 to 4 weeks. Always go for medical advice before have them. Apart from that, you can always improve your depression status by adopting some overcome depression tips in your daily lives.