Depression | Types of Antidepressants

What are the different kinds of antidepressants? What kinds of side effects do they have?

Antidepressants are put into groups based on which chemicals in the brain they affect. There are many different kinds of antidepressants, including:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• citalopram
• escitalopram
• fluoxetine
• paroxetine
• sertraline

If a person has never tried an antidepressant before, SSRIs are usually the first kind of antidepressant medicine your doctor will recommend. These medicines tend to have fewer side effects than other antidepressants. Some of the side effects that SSRIs can cause include dry mouth, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, sexual problems and headache.

Heterocyclics

• amitriptyline
• desipramine
• imipramine
• nortriptyline

This type of antidepressant is effective, but is used less often because the side effects are often more extreme. Common side effects caused by these medicines include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, worsening of glaucoma, impaired thinking and tiredness. These antidepressants can also affect a person's blood pressure and heart rate. They are not usually recommended for older patients, people who have glaucoma or men who have enlarged prostates.

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

• venlafaxine
• duloxetine

These medicines are sometimes chosen because they don’t interfere with certain other medicines. Some common side effects caused by these medicines include nausea (especially in the first two weeks), loss of appetite, anxiety and nervousness, headache, insomnia and tiredness. Dry mouth, constipation, weight loss, sexual problems, increased heart rate and increased cholesterol levels also can occur.

Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)

• bupropion

This kind of medicine is sometimes recommended for people who also have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, cocaine dependence or want to quit smoking. You should not take this kind of medicine if you have a seizure disorder or bulimia. Some of the common side effects of NDRIs include agitation, nausea, headache, loss of appetite and insomnia. However, this type of antidepressant medication typically has no sexual side effects.

Monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

MAOIs are used less commonly than the other antidepressants. They can have serious side effects, including weakness, dizziness, headaches and trembling. Taking an MAOI antidepressant while you're taking another antidepressant or certain over-the-counter medicines for colds and flu can cause a dangerous reaction. You should not take an MAOI unless you clearly understand what medications and foods to avoid.