Antidepressants

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Living With
• Related Issues
• Specifics
• Genetics

See, Play and Learn

• No links available

Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Women
• Patient Handouts

Summary

Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression. Your doctor can prescribe them for you. They work to balance some of the natural chemicals in our brains. It may take several weeks for them to help. There are several types of antidepressants. You and your doctor may have to try a few before finding what works best for you.

Antidepressants may cause mild side effects that usually do not last long. These may include headache, nausea, sleep problems, restlessness, and sexual problems. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You should also let your doctor know if you take any other medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

It is important to keep taking your medicines, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor. You often need to stop antidepressants gradually.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

Start Here

• Antidepressants: Selecting One That's Right for You (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• How to Safely Take Antidepressants (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
• Mental Health Medications (National Institute of Mental Health)

Diagnosis and Tests

• Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) Tests (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Pharmacogenetic Tests (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Screen (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• 5 Tips: What You Should Know about the Science behind Depression and Complementary Health Approaches (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• St. John's Wort and Depression (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Living With

• MAOIs and Diet: Is It Necessary to Restrict Tyramine? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• Antidepressant Withdrawal: Is There Such a Thing? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants and Alcohol: What's the Concern? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants and Weight Gain: What Causes It? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants: Another Weapon against Chronic Pain (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants: Can They Stop Working? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants: Get Tips to Cope with Side Effects (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants: Which Cause the Fewest Sexual Side Effects? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Migraine Medications and Antidepressants: A Risky Mix? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Atypical Antidepressants (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Tricyclic Antidepressants and Tetracyclic Antidepressants (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Depression: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Antidepressants (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Long-Term Efficacy of Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Systematic...
• Article: Is Electroacupuncture an Effective and Safe Treatment for Poststroke Depression? An...
• Article: Antidepressants use is associated with overall survival improvement of patients with...
• Antidepressants -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• NAMI
• National Institute of Mental Health Also in Spanish

Children

• Antidepressants for Children and Teens (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Women

• Antidepressants: Safe during Pregnancy? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Depression Medicines (Food and Drug Administration)

Patient Handouts

• Depression - stopping your medicines (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish