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Medications for Depression

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

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Abilify MyCite Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
aripiprazole systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Irenka Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
L-Methylfolate Forte Rate Add review
Rx N N
Generic name:
l-methylfolate systemic
Drug class:
vitamins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
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
Zyprexa Zydis Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
olanzapine systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
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
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
Fetzima 4.8 92 reviews for Fetzima to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
levomilnacipran systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
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
olanzapine 4.9 183 reviews for olanzapine to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
olanzapine systemic
Brand names:
Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
risperidone Off-label 5.0 56 reviews for risperidone to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
risperidone systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Zyprexa 5.1 84 reviews for Zyprexa to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
olanzapine systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Effexor 5.5 342 reviews for Effexor to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
venlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
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
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
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
venlafaxine 6.0 1023 reviews for venlafaxine to treat Depression
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 6.0 599 reviews for Viibryd to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
vilazodone systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
vilazodone 6.0 623 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
lithium Off-label 6.1 63 reviews for lithium to treat Depression
Rx D N X
Generic name:
lithium systemic
Drug class:
antimanic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Cymbalta 6.3 616 reviews for Cymbalta to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
duloxetine 6.3 753 reviews for duloxetine to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
duloxetine systemic
Brand names:
Cymbalta, Irenka
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
aripiprazole 6.4 376 reviews for aripiprazole to treat Depression
Rx C N X
Generic name:
aripiprazole systemic
Brand names:
Abilify, Abilify MyCite
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
nortriptyline 6.4 64 reviews for nortriptyline to treat Depression
Rx N N X
Generic name:
nortriptyline systemic
Brand name:
Pamelor
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Paxil 6.4 193 reviews for Paxil to treat Depression
Rx D N X
Generic name:
paroxetine systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake 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.