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Medications for Depression

Depression is a mood condition characterized by persistent and overwhelming feelings of sadness that can affect your day-to-day activities and how you think, feel, and behave. Sometimes it can affect your outlook on life and make you feel that life isn’t worth living. Depression may also be called major depressive disorder or clinical depression.

What Causes Depression?

Experts aren’t exactly sure what causes depression but believe it is due to a combination of different factors, such as genetic vulnerability, faulty mood regulation by the brain, stress, chemicals in the brain, medications, or medical problems, that all interact together to bring on depression.

The risk of developing depression is higher in women and people:

  • Aged 45 to 64 years of age or the elderly
  • With chronic or acute health conditions
  • Who are undergoing a major life event, such as a job loss, divorce, workplace stress, or physical or mental abuse
  • With severe grief due to the death of a loved one
  • Taking prescription drugs that may cause a low mood
  • Abusing alcohol or drugs.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Depression is not just feeling blue occasionally. It affects daily feelings, thoughts, and actions over a longer period. (MDD), can result in difficulties with family life, work, and social activities.

Symptoms may vary depending on how severe a person’s depression is but may include:

  • A prolonged and persistent low mood, tearfulness, or a sense of hopelessness that has lasted for at least 2 weeks
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation or restlessness
  • Avoidance or refusal to participate in activities that were previously enjoyed
  • Withdrawal socially, from family, friends, and relationships
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
  • Alcohol, drug, or substance abuse
  • Engaging in risky or destructive behaviors
  • Self-harm or attempts at suicide.

In children and teens, symptoms may include clinginess, worry, aches and pain, and refusal to go to school.

In older adults, symptoms may be less obvious and include memory difficulties or personality changes, physical aches and pains, and fatigue.

How is Depression Diagnosed?

If your mood has been low for a while and you are having difficulty coping with day to day activities, talk to your doctor or a trusted professional. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your medical history and may ask you to complete a questionnaire that may help to diagnose depression or refer you to a psychiatrist.

You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or have an online chat (http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/). All information is confidential and free.

How is Depression Treated?

Depression is treatable with high rates of success. Treatments may include:

  • Psychotherapy
  • Antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Responses to antidepressants vary, and most antidepressants take 4 to 6 weeks for full effect. About 50% of patients respond to the first treatment, whereas others may have to try a few different types of antidepressants before they find the best one for them.

There are several things you can do to help with your symptoms as well, such as:

  • Setting realistic and daily goals
  • Developing strategies to work through crises situations
  • Developing coping and problem-solving skills
  • Learning how to develop positive relationships
  • Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Drugs used to treat Depression

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

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
esketamine 5.6 71 reviews for esketamine to treat Depression
Rx 3 X
Generic name:
esketamine systemic
Brand name:
Spravato
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
L-Methylfolate Forte Rate Add review
Rx N N
Generic name:
l-methylfolate systemic
Drug class:
vitamins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Spravato 5.5 64 reviews for Spravato to treat Depression
Rx 3 X
Generic name:
esketamine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
thyroid desiccated Off-label Rate Add review
Rx A N
Generic name:
thyroid desiccated systemic
Drug class:
thyroid drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
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
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
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
levomilnacipran 4.9 103 reviews for levomilnacipran to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
levomilnacipran systemic
Brand name:
Fetzima
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
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
paliperidone Off-label 3.9 12 reviews for paliperidone to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
paliperidone systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
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
selegiline 8.1 43 reviews for selegiline to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
selegiline systemic
Brand name:
Emsam
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Tofranil 5.8 6 reviews for Tofranil to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
imipramine systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
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
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
atomoxetine Off-label 7.1 8 reviews for atomoxetine to treat Depression
Rx C N
Generic name:
atomoxetine systemic
Drug class:
adrenergic uptake inhibitors for ADHD
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
clomipramine Off-label 6.8 42 reviews for clomipramine to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
clomipramine systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Emsam 7.9 33 reviews for Emsam to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
selegiline systemic
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
fluoxetine / olanzapine 7.9 26 reviews for fluoxetine / olanzapine to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
fluoxetine / olanzapine systemic
Brand name:
Symbyax
Drug class:
psychotherapeutic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
imipramine 6.5 32 reviews for imipramine to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
imipramine systemic
Brand name:
Tofranil
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ketamine Off-label 7.6 29 reviews for ketamine to treat Depression
Rx N 3 X
Generic name:
ketamine systemic
Drug class:
general anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Pamelor 4.4 12 reviews for Pamelor to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
nortriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
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
vilazodone 5.9 622 reviews for vilazodone to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
vilazodone systemic
Brand name:
Viibryd
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, 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.