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

• Statistics and 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
• Mental Health Medications (National Institute of Mental Health)

Diagnosis and Tests

• Pharmacogenetic Tests (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• St. John's Wort and Depression (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about 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 (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants and Alcohol (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Antidepressants and Weight Gain (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 Lose Effectiveness? (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
• Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) Tests (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Medications and Side Effects (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - PDF
• 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

• Genetics Home Reference: depression (National Library of Medicine)

Statistics and Research

• Antidepressant Use in Persons Aged 12 and Over: United States, 2005-2008 (National Center for Health Statistics)

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: Effect of Escitalopram vs Placebo Treatment for Depression on Long-term...
• Article: Effectiveness of paroxetine in the treatment of poststroke depression.
• Article: An evaluation of the pharmacotherapy for interstitial cystitis.
• Antidepressants -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• NAMI
• National Institute of Mental Health

Children

• Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers (National Institute of Mental Health)
• 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 To Help You (Food and Drug Administration)

Patient Handouts

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