Antidepressant Medicines - A Guide for Adults With Depression - AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

Antidepressant Medicines - A Guide for Adults With Depression

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Introduction
What does this guide cover?
This guide can help you work with your doctor or nurse to choose medicines for depression. It covers:

- Common medicines for adults with depression.
- Side effects.
- Price.
This guide is based on a government-funded review of research about the medicines often used to treat adults with depression. The antidepressants are listed in section 9.

What is not covered in this guide?
This guide does not cover:

Treatment of depression in children or teens.
Postpartum depression ("baby blues").
Depression that is part of another mental health condition like bipolar disorder (previously called manic-depressive disorder).
Older antidepressant medicines like amitriptyline (Elavil®) and phenelzine (Nardil®).
Other ways to treat depression such as counseling, light therapy, and herbal supplements like St. John's Wort.
Fast Facts
Fast Facts on Antidepressants
The antidepressants in this guide work for treating depression. Most people can find one that makes them feel better.
Six out of 10 people will feel better with the first antidepressant they try. The rest of the people will need to try other antidepressants before they find the one that is right for them.
Most people taking antidepressants have at least one side effect.
The most common side effects are constipation, daytime sleepiness, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, sexual problems, shakiness, trouble sleeping, and weight gain.

Common Signs or Symptoms
What are the common signs or symptoms of depression?
Depression is a deep sadness that won't go away. It can also be the loss of interest in doing things you usually enjoy. Common symptoms include:

. Sad, anxious, or "empty" mood that lasts more than 2 weeks.
.. Trouble sleeping.
... Appetite changes - either less appetite and weight loss, or eating more and weight gain.
.... Loss of interest in doing things you once enjoyed, including sex.
..... Feeling restless and cranky.
...... Nagging physical symptoms that don't get better with treatment (like chronic pain).
....... Trouble paying attention, making decisions, or remembering.
........ Feeling tired all the time or like you have no energy.
......... Feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless.
.......... Thoughts of suicide or death.
........... Depression is treatable. You can get better. The most common treatments for depression are antidepressant drugs, counseling, or a combination of the two.

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