Medications for Depression Treatment

Types of Antidepressants

There are many kinds of antidepressants on the market, and the one that will work best for you or your loved one will depend upon the symptoms experienced, other medications being taken, and other special circumstances (e.g., pregnancy, breastfeeding, chronic illness, etc.).

The most commonly prescribed type of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include Zoloft, Prozac and others. Another type of antidepressants is serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (e.g., Cymbalta, Effexor). One unique medication (unique because it is neither a SSRI nor a SNRI) is buproprion, or Wellbutrin. Older antidepressants that are not as commonly prescribed include tricyclics, tetracyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). For some, these medications will work best, but they are often not the first line of defense against depression.

Commonly Prescribed Antidepressants

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that the following are the most often prescribed drugs for the treatment of depression:

• Buproprion (e.g., Wellbutrin)
• Citalopram (e.g., Celexa)
• Desvenlafaxine (e.g., Pristiq)
• Duloxetine (e.g., Cymbalta)
• Escitalopram (e.g., Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (e.g., Prozac)
• Fluvoxamine (e.g., Luvox)
• Mirtazpine (e.g., Remeron)
• Nefazodone (e.g., Serzone)
• Paroxetine (e.g., Paxil)
• Sertraline (e.g., Zoloft)
• Trazodone (e.g., Desyrel)
• Venlafaxine (e.g., Effexor)

In studies, all of these medications have worked well. However, the HHS noted that only three in five patients generally see improvement in their condition with the first antidepressant they try. Many patients will try a variety of medications and/or combinations and doses in order to begin to see an effect. Additionally, almost all of the medications take a few weeks to build up in the system and have an effect on depression symptoms.

Antidepressant Facts

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the following is true about the use of medication for depression treatment in the United States:

• Antidepressant drugs were the third most common type of medication prescribed in the United States between 2005 and 2008 to Americans of all ages.
• Antidepressants were the most frequently prescribed drug to those between the ages of 18 and 44.
• Between 1988 and 1994, the number of prescriptions for antidepressants in the US increased by almost 400 percent.
• An estimated 11 percent of the US population takes an antidepressant.
• Women are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants than men. The drugs are also more commonly used by Caucasians as compared to other ethnic groups.
• An estimated 33 percent of people diagnosed with severe depression are prescribed antidepressants.
• About 60 percent of those taking antidepressants have been doing so for more than two years; about 14 percent have been taking them for a decade or longer.
• Less than 33 percent of patients taking a single antidepressant and less than 50 percent of patients taking more than one antidepressant have seen a mental health specialist in the past 12 months.

Dual Diagnosis Depression Treatment

For those who struggle with depression, living with a drug or alcohol abuse problem is often a part of the equation. Contact us at the phone number listed above today to find the right rehab program to address depression and co-occurring addiction or drug abuse issues today.