Depression is the most common mental disorder diagnosed. Two treatments are usually recommended for most people who are experiencing depression: psychotherapy and medication. Medication helps some of the symptoms of depression, while psychotherapy helps a person learn how to better cope with the remaining symptoms, and with depression and life in general.
While either treatment can be prescribed independently, research has shown that if you want to feel relief from your depression as quickly and as strongly as possible, you should try and do both medications and psychotherapy. No specific antidepressant medication should be tried first — the one chosen will be based upon your history with the illness, what’s worked for you in the past (if applicable) and your doctor’s judgment.
Below is a list of antidepressants commonly prescribed for depression. The links go to Psych Central’s ratings and reviews of each medication by our members. The first name is the medication’s commonly-known U.S. brand name (brand names vary from country to country), while the names in parentheses refer to its generic name and other names it be known under or similar formulations. The list is in alphabetical order.
- Celexa
(Cipramil, Citalopram, Nitalapram, Celepram) - Cymbalta
(Duloxetine hydrochloride, Yentreve) - Desipramine
(Norpramin, Pertofrane) - Effexor
(Venlafaxine hydrochloride, Efectin, Effexor XR) - Elavil
(Amitriptyline hydrochloride, Tryptanol, Endep, Elatrol, Tryptizol) - Geodon
(Ziprasidone, Zeldox) - Lexapro
(Escitalopram, Cipralex) - Paxil
(Paroxetine, Paroxetine Hydrochloride, Seroxat, Aropax, Pondera, Deroxat, Paroxat, Cebrilin, Paxil CR) - Prozac
(Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, Sarafem) - Seroquel
(quetiapine fumarate) - Trazodone
(Desyrel, Trittico, Thombran, Trialodine) - Wellbutrin
(Bupropion, Amfebutamone, Zyban, Budeprion SR, Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR) - Zoloft
(Sertraline)
Please note that you should never start, stop or alter your medication without first checking and consulting with the physician that prescribed you the medication. Psychiatric medications especially can have negative withdrawal effects when changing or tapering off of them.
What's Related
- Introduction to Mental Health Medications
- Medications for Senior Citizens and the Elderly
- An Introduction to Treatment of Depression
- Questions for Your Doctor About Medications
- Medications Give Relief from Symptoms
- Medications: Symptom Relief, Not Cure
- Key Points about Antidepressant Therapy
- Alzheimer’s Medications and Coping
- Side Effects of Medications for Schizophrenia
- Medications and Car Accidents
- Other articles by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
Last reviewed:
On January 4, 2008
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
