Antidepressants come in different formulations, with different potential side effects, actions in the body, and sets of directions for taking them properly. Most anti-depressants must be taken for at least four to six months, and often take several weeks for any effect to be felt. Many antidepressants work to slow down the removal of chemicals called neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and norepinephrine) from reaching the brain. The categories of antidepressants include:

• SSRIs: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors include fluoxetine (Prozac®), sertraline (Zoloft®), and paroxetine (Paxil®), and affect the neurotransmitter serotonin. Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, headache, and sexual problems. Some SSRIs are also used to treat panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, general anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).


• SNRIs: Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors are used to treat clinical depression, as well as anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). SNRIs act on both serotonin and norepinephrine. SNRIs are a newer type of drug than SSRIs and include venlafaxine (Effexor®), atomoxetine (Strattera®), and duloxetine (Cymbalta®). Side effects commonly seen with SNRIs include dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nervousness, increased perspiration, nausea, weakness, weight loss and weight gain, decreased appetite, increased cholesterol, and sexual dysfunction in men.


• TCAs: Tricyclic Antidepressants are an older class of medications than SSRIs and includes amitriptyline (Elavil®), imipramine (Tofranil®), and desipramine (Norpramin®). These medications may affect heart rate and blood pressure. Common side effects of tricyclics include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, impaired thinking and tiredness, and for persons with glaucoma, a worsening of their eye disease.


• MAOIs: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors are often used when other types of antidepressants have failed to show an improvement. They are sometimes also effective for panic disorder and bipolar depression. Their common side effects include weakness, tremors, and headaches. Examples are phenelzine (Nardil®) and tranylcypromine (Parnate®). Because certain common foods and medications including chocolate, and cold and flu remedies can cause a dangerous interaction with an MAOI, doctors tend to reserve their use until other antidepressants have been tried unsuccessfully.


• Other medications: A number of antidepressant medications do not fit into the above classes. These include trazadone (Desyrel®) and bupropion (Wellbutrin®). Side effects vary, as do the ways these medications act in the body.

The good news about depression is that it is treatable, most often through talk therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Antidepressant medication, despite some common side effects, can help lift a person from the depths of depression within weeks of starting on medication therapy.

If one medication does not work for you or the side effects are too difficult for you to live with, keep in mind that there are many others your doctor may have you try. Make sure your doctor knows about any other medications you may be taking.


Source: www.WebMD.com , www.Walgreens.com, www.RiteAid.com, www.Health.yahoo.com