Clinical depression is treated with a wide range of medications. Zoloft©, Prozac©, SSRI, TCA, MAOI — the many terms can easily confuse and bewilder anyone without a medical degree. Medication for depression generally falls into one of the three broad categories described below.
These categories are by no means exhaustive. Your doctor may prescribe a drug that does not appear in this article. New types of medication for depression are constantly being developed and tested in labs around the world. In the U.S., however, drugs must receive FDA-approval before entering the consumer market.
SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants work by stabilizing levels of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter, in the brain. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and other mood disorders. Common SSRI antidepressants include Luvox®, Paxil®, Prozac© and Zoloft©.
SSRIs, including Zoloft© and Prozac© have relatively few side effects compared to other depression medication, making them the first choice of most physicians. However, SSRI antidepressants do have disadvantages:
It may take up to 12 weeks of
Tree.com provides information on health-related topics, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Please consult your physician if you have questions or concerns.