What Are The Types Of Antidepressants?

Have you contemplated trying to get help for depression and wanted to see what types of medication are available? Antidepressants have been a preferred option for addressing symptoms of depression for a long time and could be suitable for you. Check out the different types of antidepressants and discover what you can do if they don’t help with your symptoms.

How Do Antidepressants Help?

It’s believed that antidepressants support patients by affecting certain neural circuits, including the chemical neurotransmitters that relay messages to nerve cells. Several antidepressants are classified as reuptake inhibitors as the process of reabsorbing neurotransmitters back into the nerve cells is delayed. These chemicals, like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, remain in the brain for longer periods, which may enhance neural avenues that manage mood.

To find the right antidepressant, you will have to consult with a medical professional who will take the following under careful consideration:

• Current symptoms
• Medical history, including prescriptions and other health conditions
• Potential side effects
• If you are breastfeeding or pregnant
• If some antidepressants have helped a blood relative such as a sibling or parent

Types Of Antidepressants For Patients

The most common antidepressants are reuptake inhibitors that affect specific neurotransmitters. These medicines may be sorted into these categories:

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - consists of brand names like Prozac®, Zoloft®, and Lexapro®

• Serotonin And Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Includes Effexor® and Cymbalta®

• Norepinephrine And Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs) - Includes Wellbutrin®

Other antidepressants work differently. Tetracyclics impede neurotransmitters from binding with specific nerve receptors. By doing so, they elevate levels of neurotransmitters. An additional category of drugs, serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs), impede the reabsorption of serotonin but also stop particles from binding to certain receptors and guide them to others.

Older Antidepressants Include Tricyclics And MAOIs

Some previous antidepressants, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclics, generally aren’t prescribed unless other choices haven’t succeeded. They typically come with an elevated risk of serious side effects. Tricyclics, similar to other antidepressants, prevent the reabsorption of neurotransmitters. MAOIs are a bit different as they are considered to obstruct the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which deconstructs neurotransmitters. As a result, neurotransmitter amounts increase.

SPRAVATO® Authorized For Treatment-Resistant Depression

Regrettably, regularly prescribed antidepressants aren’t effective for every patient. In fact, an extensive study noted that about one-third of patients with major depressive disorder failed to respond to two or more of these prescriptions. Luckily, there is an additional alternative for those with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Esketamine has been shown to be much more successful in addressing Treatment-Resistant Depression than other treatments. Under the SPRAVATO label, this FDA-sanctioned esketamine nasal spray targets a specific neural receptor to relieve symptoms of depression. SPRAVATO is only for TRD, and candidates must have attempted a minimum of two other antidepressants before becoming eligible. It also needs to be given under medical direction at an accredited facility, like The Counseling Center. A medical evaluation can ascertain if you are a candidate for SPRAVATO treatment.

Request Depression Treatment at The Counseling Center

You don’t have to fight depression on your own. Rather, reach out to the mental health professionals at The Counseling Center. We are authorized for SPRAVATO and provide many depression therapies to help you. We’ll design a plan of treatment that might include a combination of medication and therapy. Dial 866-850-5001 today to arrange a consultation.