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Medications for Major Depressive Disorder

Other names: Clinical Depression; Major Depression; MDD; Unipolar Depression; Unipolar Disorder

What is Major Depressive Disorder:  Major depressive disorder is characterized by depressed mood and loss of interest in normal activities and relationships, interfering with a person's ability to carry out normal activities.

Medications to treat Major Depressive Disorder

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

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
Zoloft Rx C N X 57 reviews
7.0

Generic name: sertraline systemic

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Wellbutrin XL Rx C N X 44 reviews
6.0

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Prozac Rx C N X 36 reviews
7.0

Generic name: fluoxetine systemic

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Cymbalta Rx C N X 44 reviews
6.0

Generic name: duloxetine systemic

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Lexapro Rx C N X 35 reviews
7.0

Generic name: escitalopram systemic

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Abilify Rx C N X 52 reviews
6.0

Generic name: aripiprazole systemic

Drug class: atypical antipsychotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Wellbutrin Rx C N X 43 reviews
7.0

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Effexor Rx C N X 29 reviews
6.0

Generic name: venlafaxine systemic

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Effexor XR Rx C N X 45 reviews
7.0

Generic name: venlafaxine systemic

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Pristiq Rx C N X 40 reviews
6.0

Generic name: desvenlafaxine systemic

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
bupropion Rx C N X 133 reviews
7.0

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Brand names:  Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Budeprion SR, Budeprion XL, Forfivo XL …

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants, smoking cessation agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Viibryd Rx C N X 98 reviews
6.0

Generic name: vilazodone systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Remeron Rx C N X 21 reviews
6.0

Generic name: mirtazapine systemic

Drug class: tetracyclic antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Wellbutrin SR Rx C N X 17 reviews
7.0

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
trazodone Rx C N X 16 reviews
6.0

Generic name: trazodone systemic

Brand names:  Desyrel, Oleptro, Desyrel Dividose

Drug class: phenylpiperazine antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
sertraline Rx C N X 75 reviews
7.0

Generic name: sertraline systemic

Brand name:  Zoloft

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Seroquel XR Rx C N X 11 reviews
5.0

Generic name: quetiapine systemic

Drug class: atypical antipsychotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
venlafaxine Rx C N X 97 reviews
7.0

Generic name: venlafaxine systemic

Brand names:  Effexor, Effexor XR

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Paxil Rx D N X 17 reviews
7.0

Generic name: paroxetine systemic

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Trintellix Rx C N X 169 reviews
6.0

Generic name: vortioxetine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Zyprexa Rx C N X 9 reviews
6.0

Generic name: olanzapine systemic

Drug class: atypical antipsychotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
mirtazapine Rx C N X 60 reviews
7.0

Generic name: mirtazapine systemic

Brand names:  Remeron, Remeron SolTab

Drug class: tetracyclic antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
fluoxetine Rx C N X 46 reviews
7.0

Generic name: fluoxetine systemic

Brand names:  Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Rapiflux

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Fetzima Rx C N X 60 reviews
5.0

Generic name: levomilnacipran systemic

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Sinequan Rx N N X 1 review
10

Generic name: doxepin systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, tricyclic antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
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Learn more about Major Depressive Disorder

Micromedex® Care Notes

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Prescription Only / Over the Counter
Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Pregnancy
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 Schedule
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.

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