If you find yourself suffering from depression, albeit mild or severe, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant for you. While a variety of antidepressants exist, the medical experts at the Mayo Clinic state that most doctors prefer SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) due to the tolerability of their side effects.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRIs are effective for people who suffer from both minor and major depression. They work by balancing the chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin. HealthyPlace.com states that SSRIs are especially helpful in stopping the symptoms of depression in the beginning, before they become worse. While they appear to have the same rate of effectiveness as older antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants, the side effects are not as severe. These side effects include nausea, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, dry mouth and problems with sexual performance. Some of the most common SSRIs include sertraline, fluoxetine and paroxetine.
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another type of antidepressant commonly prescribed as the first drug patients try. Although they work much the same way as SSRIs, the effectiveness may vary according to each person, depending on her genetic composition. The most common side effects associated with this antidepressant include nausea, dizziness, vomiting, insomnia, agitation, constipation and abnormal dreams. SNRIs that have been approved for use by the FDA include duloxetine and venlafaxine.
Tetracyclic Antidepressants
Mirtazapine, the first tetracyclic antidepressant with U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, is also among the elite of antidepressants. This type of antidepressant works a bit differently than SSRIs and SNRIs. Rather than blocking the absorption of the chemicals, the medication stops the chemicals in the brain from binding to cell receptors; this causes an increase in the chemical norepinephrine, thus preventing the symptoms of depression from presenting themselves.
The Mental Health Center on the Discovery Channel website states that not all tetracyclic antidepressants cause side effects, and not everyone will experience side effects from ones that do cause them. Some of the more common side effects include agitation, confusion, fatigue, headache, an increase in urination and weight gain. In severe cases, patients may experience an increase in cholesterol levels, irregular heartbeats and complications with glaucoma.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
This is an older antidepressant that has been in existence since the 1950s. These work by balancing the chemicals in the brain, just as the above-mentioned antidepressants. In the process, however, they affect various chemicals in the body, which produces a number of side effects the other antidepressants do not; this is why doctors prescribe tricyclics only if SSRIs do not work. These side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, increased appetite, weakness, weight gain, increased heart rate and low blood pressure. Tricyclic antidepressants include amitriptyline, tofranil, nortriptyline and protriptyline.
