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Confused by the choice in antidepressants? With persistence, you and your health care provider can find one that works so that you can enjoy life more fully again. By Mayo Clinic StaffAntidepressants are a popular treatment choice for depression. Although antidepressants may not cure depression, they can reduce symptoms. The first antidepressant you try may work fine. But if it doesn't relieve your symptoms or it causes side effects that bother you, you may need to try another. So don't give up. Many kinds of antidepressants are available, and chances are you'll be able to find one that works well for you. And sometimes a combination of medicines may be an option. Finding the right antidepressantThere are many types of antidepressants available that work in slightly different ways and have different side effects. When choosing an antidepressant that's likely to work well for you, your health care provider may consider:
Types of antidepressantsMany mental health experts believe that certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are associated with depression — particularly serotonin (ser-o-TOE-nin), norepinephrine (nor-ep-ih-NEF-rin) and dopamine (DOE-puh-meen). Most antidepressants help relieve depression by affecting these neurotransmitters, sometimes called chemical messengers, which aid in communication between brain cells. Each type of antidepressant affects these neurotransmitters in slightly different ways. Many types of antidepressants are available to treat depression, including:
Antidepressants and risk of suicideMost antidepressants are generally safe, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all antidepressants carry black box warnings, the strictest warnings for prescriptions. In some cases, children, teenagers and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. Anyone taking an antidepressant should be watched closely for worsening depression or unusual behavior. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts when taking an antidepressant, immediately contact your health care provider or get emergency help. Keep in mind that antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run by improving mood. Making antidepressants work for youTo get the best results from an antidepressant:
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. What is the most common drug prescribed for anxiety and depression?SSRIs. This group of drugs, including fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Cipralex) and sertraline (Zoloft), is usually the first choice for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.
What will doctor prescribe for anxiety and depression?Some of the most commonly used include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine HRI (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).
Which medication is the first line choice for treating anxiety disorders?Antidepressants. Antidepressants, including medications in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) classes, are the first line medication treatments.
What is the highest rated antidepressant for anxiety?Readers rate antidepressants. |