Many therapists and doctors suggest antidepressants for people who suffer from moderate to severe levels of depression. Taking medication for depression is most effective when combined with a form of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Many times if you stop taking medication for depression and have not dealt with the underlying causes, the depression will return. You should work with your therapist and doctor when choosing an antidepressant because each one has its pros and cons.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
According to the Mayo Clinic, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are usually the first type of antidepressant that doctors prescribe. Some common SSRIs include citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine and sertaline. The most common side effect among these drugs is sexual issues. The HELPGUIDE website reports that people over the age of 65 should take caution when taking these medications because it increases the chance of falling and bone loss.
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
The most common serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine and duloxetine. Each person responds to antidepressants differently. If a person does not respond well to SSRIs, a doctor may prescribe one of these medications. Venlafaxine raises a person's blood pressure, and an overdose can be fatal. Some common side effects of desvenlafaxine are blurred vision, constipation, trouble sleeping, decreased sexual desire and dizziness. Duloxetine is known to help relieve pain along with depression; however it does come with many side effects including nausea, dry mouth and constipation.
Atypical Antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants don't fit into one of the other categories because they affect chemicals in the brain other than serotonin and nerepinephrine. Some common atypical antidepressants include bupropion, trazodone, mirazapine and nefazodone. They're known to cause fewer sexual side effects than other antidepressants; however, they each have their drawbacks. For example, according to the Mayo Clinic, nefazodone has been linked to serious liver issues, and trazodone can make you extremely drowsy.
Tricyclic Antidepressants and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are older antidepressants that are utilized only if the other types of medication aren't a good fit. Tricyclic antidepressants have more negative side effects such as sedation, weight gain and difficulty urinating than do other antidepressants. Sometimes a low dose of a tricyclic antidepressant is combined with another antidepressant. MAOIs can have serious and fatal consequences when combined with certain foods and beverages, so they're used as a last resort. They also produce many unwanted side effects such as dizziness, twitching muscles and sleep problems.
