Consider sertraline and escitalopram as first-line agents for initial treatment of major depression in adults. The least tolerated antidepressants in this study were bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and duloxetine.
SSRIs are usually the first choice medicine for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant. As well as depression, SSRIs can be used to treat a number of other mental health conditions, including: generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed type of antidepressant and include: Fluoxetine. Citalopram. Sertraline.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
This class includes sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine. SSRIs are: the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in Australia. often a doctor's first choice for most types of depression.
The SSRIs citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and fluoxetine are generally first-line choices, although mirtazapine may also be considered as a first-line option.
Overall, citalopram appears to be the best-tolerated SSRI, followed by fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, and fluvoxamine. The latter 2 drugs are associated with the most side effects and the highest discontinuation rates because of side effects in clinical trials.
In general, SSRIs are considered the most well-tolerated antidepressants, per the Mayo Clinic; they typically have fewer side effects than other types and can be safely used at higher doses. Common side effects of SSRIs include sexual dysfunction, weight gain, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea.
The most effective antidepressant compared to placebo was the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline, which increased the chances of treatment response more than two-fold (odds ratio [OR] 2.13, 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.89 to 2.41).
Bupropion and mirtazapine are as effective as SSRIs and SNRIs. And both are considered first-choice options for treating depression.
SSRIs are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants. They're usually preferred over other antidepressants, as they cause fewer side effects. An overdose is also less likely to be serious. Fluoxetine is probably the best known SSRI (sold under the brand name Prozac).
The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are probably the treatment of choice in treating depression and a gamut of comorbid anxiety disorders. The most used SSRI is escitalopram.
Meet the newest antidepressant: dextromethorphan/buproprion (Auvelity) Dextromethorphan/bupropion (Auvelity), was recently approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression.
How Does Your Doctor Select Which Antidepressant to Administer? Your doctor chooses which antidepressant medicine to recommend based on your symptoms, the presence of other medical conditions, what other medicines you are taking, cost of the prescribed treatments, and potential side effects.
Lexapro (escitalopram) is good for treating depression and anxiety. It's generally well-tolerated and has fewer drug interactions than other antidepressants.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
These antidepressants generally cause fewer bothersome side effects and are less likely to cause problems at higher therapeutic doses than other types of antidepressants.
Exercise. Research suggests that regular exercise may be a more effective treatment for mild depression than antidepressants. Exercise helps boost levels of chemicals called serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which can lift your mood.
Paroxetine is the most potent inhibitor of the reuptake of serotonin among the available SSRIs. It has approved indications for the treatment of major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia in adults.
They found that sertraline was more effective at reducing anxiety symptoms—such as nervousness, irritability, and restlessness—with improvements showing after six weeks, while it took 12 weeks for modest changes in depressive symptoms—such as low mood—to show.
Some of the most commonly used include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine HRI (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).
Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are examples of “energizing” antidepressants; whereas Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram) tend to be more sedating.
Driving and operating machinery. Some SSRIs can cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision, particularly when you first start taking them. If you do experience these symptoms, you shouldn't drive or use heavy tools and machinery. The symptoms should be temporary, but speak to your doctor if you're unsure.
If an SSRI is considered indispensable in patients with marked fatigue (e.g., because of significant anxiety), some suggest that the best choice is sertraline, because of its mild dopaminergic action.
Which SSRI Works Fastest? Escitalopram is an SSRI under the brand name Lexapro. Individuals taking it may notice therapeutic effects within the first week. It has the fastest known response of an SSRI and the mechanisms behind it are still being studied.
If depression fails to lift, the next line of treatment for some may be a noninvasive form of brain stimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) that is helpful in certain cases and has very few side effects.