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Medications for Major Depressive Disorder

Other names: Clinical Depression; MDD; Unipolar Depression

Several types of drugs can help manage major depressive disorder, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Examples include

Drugs used to treat Major Depressive Disorder

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Wellbutrin XL 7.3 125 reviews for Wellbutrin XL to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
bupropion systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zoloft 6.7 142 reviews for Zoloft to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
sertraline systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Trintellix 6.0 448 reviews for Trintellix to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
vortioxetine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
bupropion 6.9 416 reviews for bupropion to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
bupropion systemic
Brand names:
Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Budeprion SR, Forfivo XL
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants, smoking cessation agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Prozac 6.4 99 reviews for Prozac to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
fluoxetine systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lexapro 6.4 118 reviews for Lexapro to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
escitalopram systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Rexulti 6.4 232 reviews for Rexulti to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx N X
Generic name:
brexpiprazole systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cymbalta 6.1 120 reviews for Cymbalta to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
sertraline 6.7 227 reviews for sertraline to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
sertraline systemic
Brand name:
Zoloft
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Abilify 6.1 137 reviews for Abilify to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
aripiprazole systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Effexor XR 6.6 114 reviews for Effexor XR to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
venlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
vortioxetine 6.3 554 reviews for vortioxetine to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
vortioxetine systemic
Brand name:
Trintellix
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Pristiq 6.1 153 reviews for Pristiq to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
desvenlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
trazodone 6.2 32 reviews for trazodone to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
trazodone systemic
Brand names:
Desyrel, Desyrel Dividose
Drug class:
phenylpiperazine antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Vraylar 5.5 23 reviews for Vraylar to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx N X
Generic name:
cariprazine systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Auvelity 8.2 80 reviews for Auvelity to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx N X
Generic name:
bupropion / dextromethorphan systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
brexpiprazole 6.3 242 reviews for brexpiprazole to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx N X
Generic name:
brexpiprazole systemic
Brand name:
Rexulti
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Remeron 7.6 65 reviews for Remeron to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
mirtazapine systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Wellbutrin SR 8.1 24 reviews for Wellbutrin SR to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
bupropion systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
bupropion / dextromethorphan 8.2 81 reviews for bupropion / dextromethorphan to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx N X
Generic name:
bupropion / dextromethorphan systemic
Brand name:
Auvelity
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
cariprazine 5.4 24 reviews for cariprazine to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx N X
Generic name:
cariprazine systemic
Brand name:
Vraylar
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
venlafaxine 6.4 255 reviews for venlafaxine to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
venlafaxine systemic
Brand names:
Effexor XR, Effexor
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Viibryd 5.5 216 reviews for Viibryd to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
vilazodone systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
fluoxetine 6.6 139 reviews for fluoxetine to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
fluoxetine systemic
Brand name:
Prozac
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
mirtazapine 7.1 190 reviews for mirtazapine to treat Major Depressive Disorder
Rx C N X
Generic name:
mirtazapine systemic
Brand names:
Remeron, Remeron SolTab
Drug class:
tetracyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Learn more about Major Depressive Disorder

Care guides

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.