Skip to main content

Medications for Depression

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Forfivo XL 10 1 review for Forfivo XL to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
bupropion systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Norpramin 9.8 5 reviews for Norpramin to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
desipramine systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide 9.6 5 reviews for amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide to treat Depression
Rx N 4 X
Generic name:
amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide systemic
Drug class:
psychotherapeutic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amoxapine 9.6 6 reviews for amoxapine to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
amoxapine systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Methylin ER 9.5 2 reviews for Methylin ER to treat Depression
Rx C 2 X
Generic name:
methylphenidate systemic
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
protriptyline 9.5 3 reviews for protriptyline to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
protriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
nefazodone 9.4 77 reviews for nefazodone to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
nefazodone systemic
Drug class:
phenylpiperazine antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
tramadol Off-label 9.3 226 reviews for tramadol to treat Depression
Rx C 4 X
Generic name:
tramadol systemic
Drug class:
Opioids (narcotic analgesics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
desipramine 9.1 17 reviews for desipramine to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
desipramine systemic
Brand name:
Norpramin
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
isocarboxazid 9.1 7 reviews for isocarboxazid to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
isocarboxazid systemic
Brand name:
Marplan
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Marplan 9.1 7 reviews for Marplan to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
isocarboxazid systemic
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Symbyax 9.1 19 reviews for Symbyax to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
fluoxetine / olanzapine systemic
Drug class:
psychotherapeutic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amitriptyline / perphenazine 9.0 1 review for amitriptyline / perphenazine to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
amitriptyline / perphenazine systemic
Drug class:
psychotherapeutic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
trimipramine 9.0 2 reviews for trimipramine to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
trimipramine systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
XaQuil XR 9.0 3 reviews for XaQuil XR to treat Depression
Rx N N
Generic name:
l-methylfolate systemic
Drug class:
vitamins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
methylphenidate 8.8 69 reviews for methylphenidate to treat Depression
Rx C 2 X
Generic name:
methylphenidate systemic
Brand name:
Methylin ER
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
modafinil Off-label 8.8 74 reviews for modafinil to treat Depression
Rx C 4
Generic name:
modafinil systemic
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
alprazolam Off-label 8.7 105 reviews for alprazolam to treat Depression
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
alprazolam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
niacin Off-label 8.7 57 reviews for niacin to treat Depression
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
niacin systemic
Drug class:
vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
lisdexamfetamine Off-label 8.5 28 reviews for lisdexamfetamine to treat Depression
Rx C 2 X
Generic name:
lisdexamfetamine systemic
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Parnate 8.5 98 reviews for Parnate to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
tranylcypromine systemic
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
phenelzine 8.5 138 reviews for phenelzine to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
phenelzine systemic
Brand name:
Nardil
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
armodafinil Off-label 8.4 44 reviews for armodafinil to treat Depression
Rx C 4
Generic name:
armodafinil systemic
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
tranylcypromine 8.4 119 reviews for tranylcypromine to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
tranylcypromine systemic
Brand name:
Parnate
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Nardil 8.3 108 reviews for Nardil to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
phenelzine systemic
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Depression

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Depression. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Depression.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.