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Could you or a loved one be experiencing depression?

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
escitalopram Rx C N X 49 reviews
7.0

Generic name: escitalopram systemic

Brand name:  Lexapro

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
duloxetine Rx C N X 47 reviews
6.0

Generic name: duloxetine systemic

Brand names:  Cymbalta, Irenka

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
Desyrel Rx C N X 2 reviews
4.0

Generic name: trazodone systemic

Drug class: phenylpiperazine antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
quetiapine Rx C N X 20 reviews
5.0

Generic name: quetiapine systemic

Brand name:  Seroquel XR

Drug class: atypical antipsychotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
Rexulti Rx N X 66 reviews
6.0

Generic name: brexpiprazole systemic

Drug class: atypical antipsychotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
aripiprazole Rx C N X 55 reviews
6.0

Generic name: aripiprazole systemic

Brand name:  Abilify

Drug class: atypical antipsychotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
paroxetine Rx D N X 20 reviews
7.0

Generic name: paroxetine systemic

Brand names:  Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
doxepin Rx N N X 2 reviews
10

Generic name: doxepin systemic

Brand name:  Sinequan

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

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
Aplenzin Rx C N X 1 review
10

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
olanzapine Rx C N X 15 reviews
7.0

Generic name: olanzapine systemic

Brand names:  Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis

Drug class: atypical antipsychotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
Oleptro Rx C N X 1 review
9.0

Generic name: trazodone systemic

Drug class: phenylpiperazine antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Prozac Weekly Rx C N X 1 review
10

Generic name: fluoxetine systemic

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Desyrel Dividose Rx C N X Add review Add

Generic name: trazodone systemic

Drug class: phenylpiperazine antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
vortioxetine Rx C N X 204 reviews
6.0

Generic name: vortioxetine systemic

Brand name:  Trintellix

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
Budeprion SR Rx C N X 2 reviews
8.0

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Budeprion XL Rx C N X 4 reviews
9.0

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
desvenlafaxine Rx C N X 42 reviews
6.0

Generic name: desvenlafaxine systemic

Brand names:  Pristiq, Khedezla

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
Forfivo XL Rx C N X Add review Add

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Paxil CR Rx D N X Add review Add

Generic name: paroxetine systemic

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Rapiflux Rx C N X Add review Add

Generic name: fluoxetine systemic

Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Remeron SolTab Rx C N X Add review Add

Generic name: mirtazapine systemic

Drug class: tetracyclic antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
vilazodone Rx C N X 105 reviews
5.0

Generic name: vilazodone systemic

Brand name:  Viibryd

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

 
Emsam Rx C N 3 reviews
6.0

Generic name: selegiline systemic

Drug class: monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Irenka Rx C N X Add review Add

Generic name: duloxetine systemic

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
nefazodone Rx C N X 3 reviews
9.0

Generic name: nefazodone systemic

Brand name:  Serzone

Drug class: phenylpiperazine antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, 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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