what are the top 5 antidepressants

The most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs in the U.S. include duloxetine (Cymbalta

), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), vilazodone (Viibryd), citalopram (Celexa), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac Weekly, Prozac), trazodone (Desyrel), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), and venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR).

Full Answer

What's the best/most effective antidepressant?

Best antidepressant for depression: Remeron, Lexapro, Effexor, Zoloft. In a major 2009 meta-analysis of comparability and efficacy, Remeron was found to be the most effective antidepressant for treating depression.

What are the leading antidepressants?

These are, in alphabetical order:

• Celexa
• Cymbalta
• Effexor
• Lexapro
• Paxil
• Prozac
• Zoloft

What are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants?

Types of antidepressants

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) SSRIs are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants. ...
• Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) SNRIs are similar to SSRIs. ...
• Noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NASSAs) NASSAs may be effective for some people who are unable to take SSRIs. ...

More items...

What are the latest antidepressants?

What are the newest antidepressants on the market?

• Brexanolone. Approved in 2019 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), brexanolone is used to treat postpartum depression in adults who are not pregnant.
• Esketamine. Esketamine is a new antidepressant drug approved in 2019 by the FDA to treat depression that has not improved with other medications.
• Agomelatine. ...

What is the number 1 prescribed antidepressant?

Zoloft is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant; nearly 17% of those surveyed in the 2017 antidepressant use study reported that they had taken this medication.

What are the top 3 antidepressants?

The most effective antidepressants for adults revealed in major...escitalopram.paroxetine.sertraline.agomelatine.mirtazapine.

What is the most popular prescribed antidepressant?

The most commonly prescribed ones include:Fluoxetine.Citalopram.Sertraline.Paroxetine.Escitalopram.

What are the top 10 best antidepressants?

The top 10 antidepressant drugs most commonly prescribed in the U.S. include:Duloxetine (Cymbalta)Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)Vilazodone (Viibryd)Citalopram (Celexa)Sertraline (Zoloft)Fluoxetine (Prozac Weekly, Prozac)Trazodone (Desyrel)Escitalopram (Lexapro)More items...•

What is the most powerful antidepressant?

6 most effective antidepressants sold in the United StatesAmitriptyline.Effexor (venlafaxine)Lexapro (escitalopram)Paxil (paroxetine)Remeron (mirtazapine)Trintellix (vortioxetine)

Which is the safest antidepressant?

Among the newer antidepressants, bupropion and venlafaxine were associated with the highest case fatality rates. In addition, among SSRIs, citalopram and fluvoxamine appeared to be related to higher mortality rates in overdose, whereas fluoxetine and sertraline were the safest [188].

What is the safest antidepressant for anxiety?

SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft, and common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR. Pros: They are effective for a lot of people and they have a solid safety profile.

What antidepressant is best for anxiety?

These include fluoxetine (aka Prozac), paroxetine (aka Paxil), sertraline (aka Zoloft), fluvoxamine (aka Luvox), citalopram (aka Celexa), and escitalopram (aka Lexapro). They tend to be the first line choice for multiple anxiety disorders and depression.

Which antidepressants have the least side effects?

SSRIs are usually the first choice medicine for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant.

Is there a medication that treats both depression and anxiety?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of medications that have a broad therapeutic range. They can be used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, or, in some cases, both at the same time.

Which antidepressant is best for energy?

Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are examples of “energizing” antidepressants; whereas Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram) tend to be more sedating.

What is the best antidepressant 2021?

Based on their analysis, the review authors concluded sertraline and escitalopram were the best antidepressants overall in terms of efficacy and patient acceptability. Sertraline was found to be more effective than duloxetine by 30%, fluvoxamine (27%), fluoxetine (25%), paroxetine (25%), and reboxetine (85%).

What is the safest antidepressant for anxiety?

SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft, and common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR. Pros: They are effective for a lot of people and they have a solid safety profile.

What antidepressant is best for anxiety?

These include fluoxetine (aka Prozac), paroxetine (aka Paxil), sertraline (aka Zoloft), fluvoxamine (aka Luvox), citalopram (aka Celexa), and escitalopram (aka Lexapro). They tend to be the first line choice for multiple anxiety disorders and depression.

Which antidepressants have the least side effects?

SSRIs are usually the first choice medicine for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant.

What is the safest antidepressant for the elderly?

When it comes to antidepressants for elderly patients, most experts recommend SSRIs or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which help increase certain brain chemicals such as serotonin. These drugs tend to have fewer serious side effects and drug interactions than older antidepressants on the market.

What are the best antidepressants?

Over the years, studies have compared various antidepressants. After reviewing the available research, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) concluded that no one antidepressant was more effective at treating depression than others. Instead, antidepressants are typically recommended based on factors like their side effects, the cost, and whether you’ve responded favorably to a particular medication in the past.

Which antidepressants are best for depression?

The ways these types of antidepressants work aren’t fully understood. Bupropion and mirtazapine are similarly effective to SSRIs and SNRIs and are considered first-choice options for treating depression. Trazodone may be preferred if a person has both depression and trouble sleeping.

Who is at a greater risk for depression?

Depression can happen to anyone, but some groups have different risks than others. There are known healthcare disparities that historically underrepresented communities face — having less access to mental health services is one of them.

What is the best medication for depression?

Healthcare providers typically start most people on either a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor ( SNRI ). These medications are generally better tolerated than other antidepressants and can also treat other conditions that people sometimes experience along with depression, like anxiety.

How do TCAs help with depression?

TCAs treat depression by raising levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. While some studies suggest they may be more effective for certain people with severe depression, they have a greater risk of side effects. Because they aren’t as well-tolerated as previously listed antidepressants, healthcare providers often prescribe them after you’ve tried other medications first.

How long does it take for an antidepressant to work?

How fast an antidepressant starts working varies widely from person to person. Generally speaking, you can expect to experience some effects between 4 and 6 weeks after starting your medication. If you don’t feel any change after 8 weeks of starting an antidepressant, contact your healthcare provider to let them know it’s not working.

How long does it take for SSRIs to kick in?

While effective for treating depression, they can take up to 6 weeks to kick in.

What Are the Most Common Types of Antidepressant Drugs?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs) are the most prescribed type of antidepressant. They work by blocking some reuptake of serotonin, helping to elevate mood. Examples of SSRIs include:

What Are Side Effects of Antidepressant Drugs?

Side effects of antidepressant drugs vary depending on the type. For many antidepressant drugs, side effects improve over time.

What is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant?

Of the five major classes of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the most commonly prescribed, particularly in first-line treatment. 2  Other antidepressants may be used if these drugs fail or in cases of intractable depression (also known as treatment-resistant depression ).

How many classes of antidepressants are there?

There are five major classes of antidepressant and several others that are less commonly used. Each has its own benefits, risks, and appropriate uses. While some may be considered preferred options, the drug selection can vary based on your symptoms, history of treatment, and co-existing psychological disorders .

How do antidepressants help the brain?

Antidepressants can help correct the dysfunction by altering the circuits and chemicals that pass signals along nerve routes to the brain. 1 . Antidepressants are grouped into classes based on how they affect the chemistry of the brain. While the antidepressants in a class will tend to have similar side effects and mechanisms of action, ...

Why is it important to choose the right antidepressant?

Chief among them is tolerability. Because many antidepressants are equally effective in treating depression, a greater emphasis is placed on prescribing the drugs with the fewest short- and long-term side effects.

When were antidepressants first developed?

One of the first classes of antidepressants developed were monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). This antidepressant class, first discovered in the 1950s, inhibits the action of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, whose role it is to break down monoamines. 7  By blocking this effect, more neurotransmitters are available for use in mood regulation.

What is an atypical antidepressant?

Treatment Options. Risk and Considerations. An antidepressant, as the name implies, is a type of drug primarily used for the treatment of depression. Depression is a common disorder that affects the chemistry and function of your brain.

What are the three molecules that regulate mood?

There are three basic molecules, known chemically as monoamines , that are believed to be involved in mood regulation. These primarily work as neurotransmitters, which literally transmit nerve signals to their corresponding receptors in the brain.

How many antidepressants beat placebos?

The review — published in the medical journal The Lancet — found that 21 common antidepressants beat placebos in strictly controlled tests. The study’s first author, Dr Andrea Cipriani, believes this is the ‘final answer’ to the controversy over whether or not antidepressants work.

Which is better, a placebo or an antidepressant?

The study found that antidepressants were better than placebo for moderate to severe depression. The five most effective antidepressants, according to this research, are: Agomelatine (known as Melitor, Thymanax and Valdoxan) Escitalopram (known as Cipralex, Lexapro and others)

What is the name of the drug that is a thymanax?

Agomelatine (known as Melitor, Thymanax and Valdoxan)

What is the name of the drug that is a fluvoxamine?

Fluvoxamine (known as Faverin, Fevarin, Floxyfral, Dumyrox and Luvox)

Can antidepressants be used for anxiety?

Also a lot of “antidepressants” are used for other disorders (such as anxiety or OCD) or off-label (where the drug is prescribed for something other than the original condition for which it was officially approved) and this evidence does not apply in these instances.

Can doctors tell you which drugs are most suitable for you?

They also cannot tell us which drugs are most suitable for individuals.

Do antidepressants counterbalance depression?

This suggests that, overall, patients judge that the greater effect of antidepressants in relieving depression counterbalances any side effects .

Bupropion (Brand Name Wellbutrin)

Bupropion (brand name Wellbutrin) is FDA-approved for depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Notably, many report bupropion has fewer sexual side effects and less weight gain than other antidepressants. Bupropion comes in three different forms, including immediate, extended and sustained-release pills.

Citalopram (Brand Name Celexa)

Approved for treating depression, Citalopram (brand name Celexa) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), meaning it largely works to increase the amount of the “feel-good” chemical serotonin in your brain. It’s available in both tablet and liquid form.

Duloxetine (Brand Name Cymbalta)

Approved for treating depression and fibromyalgia symptoms, duloxetine (brand name Cymbalta) is a newer class of antidepressants called a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which also increases the amount of norepinephrine (in addition to serotonin) available in your brain, another type of neurotransmitter and hormone that can boost your mood.

Escitalopram (Brand Name Lexapro)

Escitalopram (brand name Lexapro) is one of the top 35 most-prescribed medications in the United States as of 2018. It’s commonly used to treat depression and is also FDA-approved for generalized anxiety disorder. This SSRI is available as tablets or a liquid.

Fluoxetine (Brand Names Prozac)

Fluoxetine (brand names Prozac or Sarafem) is an SSRI approved for treating several mental health conditions, including depression, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Mirtazapine (Brand Name Remeron)

Some research shows mirtazapine (brand name Remeron) might get you relief faster than other SSRI or SNRI antidepressants because it works differently. Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) that acts as a presynaptic alpha2C-antagonist and blocks serotonin receptors.

Paroxetine (Brand Name Paxil)

Available in tablet, capsule or liquid form, paroxetine (brand name Paxil) is an SSRI, like citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline and fluoxetine. It’s approved for treating depression, several anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as PMDD.

How many classes of antidepressants are there?

There are five major classes of antidepressants, and they all work in different ways:

What are the atypical antidepressants?

Atypical antidepressants do not fit into the other antidepressant categories and include: Wellbutrin ( bupropion) Desyrel ( trazodone) Trintellix (vortioxetine) Remeron (mirtazapine) Of the atypical antidepressants, Wellbutrin is one of the most commonly prescribed.

What is the name of the class of antidepressants that prevents the reuptake of seroton?

Prozac belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs do exactly what the name describes: They prevent ​the reuptake of serotonin, making more of the chemical available. In other words, SSRIs relieve depression by boosting low levels of serotonin in the brain.

How long does it take for SSRIs to work?

Most SSRIs are very similar in regards to how well they work, although there may be subtle differences that can make one a better choice for you than another. It takes a while for SSRIs to build up in the body enough to have an effect on symptoms. Because of this, it can take several weeks or even months of trial and error to find the particular drug and dosage that will do you the most good.

What are neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help send messages from the end of nerve fibers to other nerves, or to muscles or other structures . One study looking at individuals treated with antidepressants in the United States between 1996 and 2005 found that nearly 67% of respondents were treated with SSRIs. 3 .

What are the symptoms of major depressive disorder?

Antidepressant medications that can be life-saving for people dealing with the symptoms of major depressive disorder—symptoms that range from sadness and loss of interest in things they once loved to do to extreme feelings of helplessness and even thoughts of suicide.

What neurotransmitters regulate mood?

Monoamine neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, help regulate your mood, emotions, and behavior.