Common Medications
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It is not unusual to feel low or sad sometimes. For most people, these feelings of sadness are related to a specific life situation and go away after a while. In some people, however, the feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and dejection persist. Such individuals lose interest in previously enjoyed hobbies and avoid spending time with family and friends. They experience symptoms such as trouble sleeping, eating, and functioning normally. When these mood changes last for more than two weeks, they could be due to a serious, but treatable mental health condition called depression.
Types of Depression
There are different types of depression and symptoms that can develop under unique circumstances.
Major depressive disorder is a condition where depression symptoms are present for most of the day, nearly every day, for 2 weeks or longer. The symptoms interfere with the ability to work, study, eat, and live a fulfilling life.
Persistent depressive disorder is a condition where the symptoms of depression last two years or more. People with this type of depression can have intervals where they have less severe symptoms.
Postpartum depression, also called the baby blues, is a condition that affects women who have recently given birth. New mothers with postpartum depression can experience symptoms of full-blown major depression.
Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a form of depression that varies with the seasons. It usually starts in the fall, lasts through the winter, and goes away in the spring and summer.
Psychotic depression is a mental illness in which the affected individual has symptoms of depression as well as psychosis, such as delusions or hallucinations.
Depression impacts a person’s mood and behavior and makes it difficult for them to function daily. It is estimated that 17 million Americans, representing about 7% of the population, experience at least one major depressive episode a year. The prevalence of depression is higher in females compared to males and is highest in young adults in the 18-25 age group.
Medications for Depression
Several different classes of drugs are used to treat depression. Some of the common ones are described below.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are medications that prevent the reuptake of serotonin and increase the activity of this neurotransmitter. Serotonin is a brain chemical that is a natural mood stabilizer. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft).
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are drugs that prevent the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These chemical messengers regulate mood and relieve symptoms of depression. Examples of SNRIs include venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), and levomilnacipran (Fetzima).
Tricyclic antidepressants are a class of drugs that act on approximately five different neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) to exert an anti-depressive effect. Examples include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).
Atypical antidepressants include medications like trazodone (Desyrel), mirtazapine (Remeron), and bupropion (Wellbutrin). They work by altering brain chemistry.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Depression
Medications used to treat depression are prescription drugs and are not available over-the-counter (OTC). However, there are several herbs, vitamins, and supplements that act as natural remedies for depression. These include St. John’s Wort, 5-hydroxytryptophan, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, vitamin D, saffron, kava kava, and others.
It is worth noting that herbs and supplements sold over-the-counter are not subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means the products have not been tested for safety and effectiveness. Many OTC products that claim to relieve depression can be ineffective or unsafe or both. You should never use OTC formulations as a substitute for a prescription antidepressant from a healthcare provider. If you are interested in trying natural and alternative therapies to treat your depression, always speak to a healthcare provider to determine which supplements are safe and could work for you.
Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
SSRIs can cause side effects like nausea, nervousness, tremors (shaking), sleep problems, sexual dysfunction, agitation, sweating, and fatigue. Rarely, SSRIs can cause seizures, bleeding or bruising, and withdrawal symptoms.
Common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, and sexual problems. Less common but more serious side effects can include abnormal bleeding or bruising, seizures, and an increase in blood pressure.
Potential side effects of tricyclic antidepressant medications include dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness, blurred vision, and low blood pressure. Less common side effects are seizures, fainting, confusion, irregular heartbeat, and problems with urination.
Possible side effects of atypical antidepressants include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain.
Common Questions
What causes depression?
Several factors can contribute to a person developing depression, including chemical imbalances in the brain, hormonal changes, and life situations like a death in the family, the end of a relationship, or job loss. There is a genetic component to depression as well. People who have a close relative with depression have a higher chance of developing it as well.
How can I treat depression naturally?
Medications for depression can help you feel better gradually over 2-4 weeks. You can also do several things to help yourself if you are depressed. You should try to be active and exercise regularly. If you find tasks overwhelming, try breaking them up into smaller, more manageable parts. Spend time with friends and family members. Avoid self-medicating your symptoms of depression with alcohol or illicit drugs.
Can I get a discount on depression medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including antidepressants—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References
1. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml
2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml
3. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/depression-medicines
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK55440
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557791
6. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/herbs-vitamins-supplements#natural-relief
Common Depression Health Medications
Depression
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter depression drugs.
It is not unusual to feel low or sad sometimes. For most people, these feelings of sadness are related to a specific life situation and go away after a while. In some people, however, the feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and dejection persist. Such individuals lose interest in previously enjoyed hobbies and avoid spending time with family and friends. They experience symptoms such as trouble sleeping, eating, and functioning normally. When these mood changes last for more than two weeks, they could be due to a serious, but treatable mental health condition called depression.
Types of Depression
There are different types of depression and symptoms that can develop under unique circumstances.
Major depressive disorder is a condition where depression symptoms are present for most of the day, nearly every day, for 2 weeks or longer. The symptoms interfere with the ability to work, study, eat, and live a fulfilling life.
Persistent depressive disorder is a condition where the symptoms of depression last two years or more. People with this type of depression can have intervals where they have less severe symptoms.
Postpartum depression, also called the baby blues, is a condition that affects women who have recently given birth. New mothers with postpartum depression can experience symptoms of full-blown major depression.
Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a form of depression that varies with the seasons. It usually starts in the fall, lasts through the winter, and goes away in the spring and summer.
Psychotic depression is a mental illness in which the affected individual has symptoms of depression as well as psychosis, such as delusions or hallucinations.
Depression impacts a person’s mood and behavior and makes it difficult for them to function daily. It is estimated that 17 million Americans, representing about 7% of the population, experience at least one major depressive episode a year. The prevalence of depression is higher in females compared to males and is highest in young adults in the 18-25 age group.
Medications for Depression
Several different classes of drugs are used to treat depression. Some of the common ones are described below.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are medications that prevent the reuptake of serotonin and increase the activity of this neurotransmitter. Serotonin is a brain chemical that is a natural mood stabilizer. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft).
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are drugs that prevent the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These chemical messengers regulate mood and relieve symptoms of depression. Examples of SNRIs include venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), and levomilnacipran (Fetzima).
Tricyclic antidepressants are a class of drugs that act on approximately five different neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) to exert an anti-depressive effect. Examples include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).
Atypical antidepressants include medications like trazodone (Desyrel), mirtazapine (Remeron), and bupropion (Wellbutrin). They work by altering brain chemistry.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Depression
Medications used to treat depression are prescription drugs and are not available over-the-counter (OTC). However, there are several herbs, vitamins, and supplements that act as natural remedies for depression. These include St. John’s Wort, 5-hydroxytryptophan, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, vitamin D, saffron, kava kava, and others.
It is worth noting that herbs and supplements sold over-the-counter are not subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means the products have not been tested for safety and effectiveness. Many OTC products that claim to relieve depression can be ineffective or unsafe or both. You should never use OTC formulations as a substitute for a prescription antidepressant from a healthcare provider. If you are interested in trying natural and alternative therapies to treat your depression, always speak to a healthcare provider to determine which supplements are safe and could work for you.
Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
SSRIs can cause side effects like nausea, nervousness, tremors (shaking), sleep problems, sexual dysfunction, agitation, sweating, and fatigue. Rarely, SSRIs can cause seizures, bleeding or bruising, and withdrawal symptoms.
Common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, and sexual problems. Less common but more serious side effects can include abnormal bleeding or bruising, seizures, and an increase in blood pressure.
Potential side effects of tricyclic antidepressant medications include dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness, blurred vision, and low blood pressure. Less common side effects are seizures, fainting, confusion, irregular heartbeat, and problems with urination.
Possible side effects of atypical antidepressants include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain.
Common Questions
What causes depression?
Several factors can contribute to a person developing depression, including chemical imbalances in the brain, hormonal changes, and life situations like a death in the family, the end of a relationship, or job loss. There is a genetic component to depression as well. People who have a close relative with depression have a higher chance of developing it as well.
How can I treat depression naturally?
Medications for depression can help you feel better gradually over 2-4 weeks. You can also do several things to help yourself if you are depressed. You should try to be active and exercise regularly. If you find tasks overwhelming, try breaking them up into smaller, more manageable parts. Spend time with friends and family members. Avoid self-medicating your symptoms of depression with alcohol or illicit drugs.
Can I get a discount on depression medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including antidepressants—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References
1. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml
2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml
3. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/depression-medicines
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK55440
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557791
6. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/herbs-vitamins-supplements#natural-relief
Common Depression Health Medications
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