List of Antidepressants

Depression is a common, global disorder, yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most people with depression are not getting the least acceptable type of possible treatment. Antidepressants, or medicines that treat depression, boost brain-communicating chemicals known as neurotransmitters; this, in turn, helps communication among neurons or nerve cells in the brain. The common neurotransmitters affected by antidepressants are dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, antidepressants can be classified as MAOIs, SSRIs, SNRIs and Tricyclics.

MAOIs

According to MedicineNet.com, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, were the antidepressants developed first approximately 50 years ago, however, they are not used frequently today because of the seriousness of their side effects and interactions with other medications and food. Antidepressant drugs are categorized according to which chemical(s) that act on in the brain. Thus, these drugs inhibit an enzyme (monoamine oxidase) which then increases levels of the neurotransmitters. Examples of some brand MAOI's are Nardil, Parnate, EMSAM, and Marplan.

SSRIs & SNRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a group of drugs that have less side effects than other medications for depression; specifically, they inhibit the re-absorption of serotonin so that more serotonin is present to promote positive feelings. Examples of this classification include the following: Lexapro, Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, and Pexeva.

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) prohibit the re-absorption of norepinephrine and serotonin so that the brain levels of these neurotransmitters remain high, which helps to stabilize mood. Some sample drugs of this group are Effexor and Cymbalta, and Pristiq. These two classes of antidepressants overall produce fewer side effects that the two older medication groups (MAOIs and Tricyclics).

Tricyclics

This category of drugs inhibits the re-absorption of the three neurotransmitters in the brain, that is, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Unfortunately, this group is similar to MAOIs in that it, too, is an older antidepressant, and also, has many serious side effects; for example, an individual's blood pressure and heart rate can be affected. Some of the representative brands include Adaptin, Anafranil, Elavil, Norpramin, Endep Ludiomil, and Sinequan.