List of Medications for Depression

Depression is a mood disorder in which patients experience immense sadness, irritability and self-blame. When the symptoms are left unchecked, they can escalate to thoughts and attempts of suicide. For some patients, the symptoms of depression are severe enough to impact their lives. Medications for depression, or antidepressants, are effective in treating severe cases. Doctors may prescribe one out of six different types of antidepressants.

MAOIs

MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, were the first antidepressant medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, MAOIs are not prescribed as often for depression treatment. MAOIs work by preventing metabolism of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Brand name options include Nardil, Parnate, Marplan and Emsam; the generic MAOIs available are phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid and selegiline.

SSRIs

As of October 2009, SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the most commonly used medication for depression. SSRIs work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin, leaving the serotonin to be absorbed and used by the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Patients have multiple options when choosing an SSRI. Zoloft, Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva, Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Lexapro and Celexa are the brand name SSRIs that are approved for depression treatment; sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine, escitalopram and citalopram are the generic SSRIs.

TCAs

TCAs, or tricyclic antidepressants, also prevent the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine), according to the Mayo Clinic. Brand-name choices of TCAs include Norpramine, Sinequan, Surmontil, Vivacil, Pamelor, Tofranil and Tofranil-PM. The generic TCAs for depression are desipramine, doxepin, trimipramine, protriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, amoxapine and amitriptyline.

SNRIs

SNRIs, or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, also prevent the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, according to the Mayo Clinic. Effexor, Effexor XR and Cymbalta are the brand-name options; the generic alternatives are venlafaxine and duloxetine.

NDRIs

NDRIs, or norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, have a similar mechanism to other reuptake inhibitors for depression, according to the Mayo Clinic. Bupropion, which is sold under the brand names Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL, is the only NDRI approved by the FDA to treat depression.

Tetracyclic Antidepressants

The last option for medication to treat depression is tetracyclic antidepressants. Unlike other types of antidepressants, tetracyclic antidepressants prevent norepinephrine and serotonin from binding to the alpha-2 receptors, according to the Mayo Clinic. By preventing the binding, increased levels of norepinephrine and serotonin are available to the brain. The only tetracyclic antidepressants approved for depression treatment are Remeron and Remeron SolTab; the generic equivalent is mirtazapine.