Antidepressants - Medications for Treating Depression

Antidepressants are medications prescribed to treat depression and other mental health conditions. They work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and emotional well-being.

Antidepressants FAQ

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Do antidepressants have side effects?

Many antidepressants cause side effects that improve with time. For example, initial side effects when starting an SSRI can include dry mouth, nausea, loose bowel movements, headache and insomnia, but these side effects usually go away as your body adjusts to the antidepressant. Explore options if it doesn't work well.

What are the different types of antidepressants?

There are several different types of antidepressants. SSRIs are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants. They're usually preferred over other antidepressants, as they cause fewer side effects. An overdose is also less likely to be serious. Fluoxetine is probably the best known SSRI (sold under the brand name Prozac).

Can antidepressants cause depression?

By causing a change to your brain chemistry, antidepressants may lift your mood. But antidepressants don't work for everyone. And there is no scientific evidence that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance which is corrected by antidepressants. What different types of antidepressant are there?

What are antidepressants used for?

Antidepressants are a type of medicine used to treat clinical depression. They can also be used to treat a number of other conditions, including: Antidepressants are also sometimes used to treat people with long-term (chronic) pain. Read more about when antidepressants are used. It's not known exactly how antidepressants work.

Are antidepressants psychiatric drugs?

Antidepressants are psychiatric drugs which are licensed to treat depression. Some are also licensed to treat other conditions, such as: some physical conditions, including managing long-term pain. Who can prescribe antidepressants? The healthcare professionals who can prescribe you antidepressants include: a specialist pharmacist.

Can antidepressants treat depression?

While antidepressants can treat the symptoms of depression, they do not always address its causes. This is why they're usually used in combination with therapy to treat more severe depression or other mental health conditions. How effective are antidepressants?

What are tricyclic antidepressants used for?

Tricyclic antidepressants are used to treat depression. They are also used to treat some other conditions such as migraine, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, recurrent headaches, and some forms of pain. The word tricyclic refers to the chemical structure of the medicine. How do tricyclic antidepressants work?