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Medications for Depression

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

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
bupropion 7.0 1393 reviews for bupropion to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
bupropion systemic
Brand names:
Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Forfivo XL, Budeprion SR, Aplenzin
Drug class:
miscellaneous antidepressants, smoking cessation agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
sertraline 6.9 1281 reviews for sertraline to treat Depression 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
venlafaxine 6.0 1026 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
escitalopram 7.1 938 reviews for escitalopram to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
escitalopram systemic
Brand name:
Lexapro
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
desvenlafaxine 6.8 872 reviews for desvenlafaxine to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
desvenlafaxine systemic
Brand name:
Pristiq
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Pristiq 6.9 800 reviews for Pristiq to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
desvenlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
duloxetine 6.3 758 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
fluoxetine 7.0 734 reviews for fluoxetine to treat Depression 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
citalopram 7.2 731 reviews for citalopram to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
citalopram systemic
Brand name:
Celexa
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
mirtazapine 6.7 661 reviews for mirtazapine to treat Depression 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
Zoloft 6.9 628 reviews for Zoloft to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
sertraline systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
vilazodone 6.0 627 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
Lexapro 7.2 625 reviews for Lexapro to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
escitalopram systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cymbalta 6.3 617 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
Viibryd 6.0 601 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
Prozac 7.0 437 reviews for Prozac to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
fluoxetine systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
aripiprazole 6.4 379 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
Celexa 7.1 365 reviews for Celexa to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
citalopram systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Effexor XR 6.6 359 reviews for Effexor XR 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
Abilify 6.5 344 reviews for Abilify to treat Depression Rx C N X
Generic name:
aripiprazole 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
Wellbutrin XL 7.4 309 reviews for Wellbutrin 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
paroxetine 6.6 298 reviews for paroxetine to treat Depression Rx D N X
Generic name:
paroxetine systemic
Brand names:
Paxil, Paxil CR
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
tramadol Off-label 9.2 241 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
Paxil 6.3 195 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.