Medications change moods for people with depression by altering brain chemistry. The correct medication depends on the patient and the condition. Some patients may take more than one medication. A medication can take several weeks to reach its full effectiveness, so it may take weeks or months for some patients to find the right drug or drug combination. People not satisfied with the outcome of their first medication increase their chances of healing their depression by switching or adding medications, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Serotonin Improvement Drugs
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, affects emotional states, and high levels of it can improve moods in patients with depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, called SSRIs, help prevent the brain from absorbing these chemicals after they perform signal transmissions, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The antidepressant drugs provide patients with more serotonin levels. Medications include fluvoxamine, citalopram, sertraline and fluoxetine.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Enhancers
Increased levels of norepinephrine, an adrenaline hormone, help maintain a mental balance in depression. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, called SNRIs, increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels by blocking the reuptake of the brain chemicals after they perform a transmission function. SNRI antidepressants include venlafaxine and duloxetine. Mirtazapine targets different serotonin and norepinephrine receptors in the brain to increase their levels. Mirtazapine also acts as a sedative and may be used in addition to other antidepressants to help with sleep.
Norepinephrine-Dopamine Boosters
Bupropion, a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, or NDRI, helps increase levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, which helps form the adrenaline hormone epinephrine, to improve moods in patients with depression. Many antidepressants, including SSRIs and SNRIs, have side effects of sexual dysfunction for some patients. Bupropion does not cause sexual side effects, MayoClinic.com points out.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclics act similarly to SNRIs, but have more and sometimes severe side effects, including low blood pressure, blurred vision, constipation, rapid heartbeat and confusion. Memory problems and hallucinations may occur in older patients. Doctors may prescribe tricyclics for patients if other antidepressants have been tried without success.
Monoamine Enzyme Inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, help inactivate enzymes in the brain that absorb serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, leaving more of the brain chemicals available for patients. Doctors may prescribe these medications if others do not work effectively. However, MAOIs are in an older class of antidepressants and may have harmful side effects when interacting with certain foods and medications. Sharp increases in blood pressure may lead to stroke, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Doctors usually provide specific instructions on prohibited foods and medication when prescribing MAOIs.
