Major Forms Of Antidepressants

Most people in the medical field would prefer not to rely on just a single treatment for any given condition when possible. This is because what works for one patient may not necessarily work for another, and it is good to have other options in case this occurs. This sound argument is also the reasoning behind the various types of antidepressants that are out on the market, which psychiatrists are encouraged to suggest in case one or the other proves ineffective at treating the patient's condition. Below are the major variations of antidepressants.

The most commonly prescribed type of medication for depression nowadays would be selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. This is considered the safest of the types of antidepressants because it is found to have the least potential side effects when taken by patients. It has also been found to show the most results on the most number of patients taking the medication. Some medications of this sort also have beneficial effects in the treatment of anxiety and certain other disorders. SSRI medications have found frequent use as the first choice treatment for most forms of depression.

Other medications focus less on inhibiting serotonin and more on blocking other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine. These are found to function well against certain patients who have proven difficult to treat with more standard SSRI medications, or in specific cases. In particular, these medications have found use in treating depression in those who experience chronic pain conditions, or are attempting to quit smoking.

The other two common varieties are tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The former are effective, particularly among older patients, but also tend to have the most adverse, severe side effects. The other varient, MAOIs, are considered to be the most dangerous. The MAOIs have severe side effects and require dietary restrictions, but they are also the most effective when dealing with cases of depression that other medications can't handle.