Using an antidepressant comparison chart helps you decide which medicine is best for you. Different antidepressants have different functions and understanding their differences is important.
This article provides you with some basic information about different antidepressants.
Antidepressant Comparison Chart – Types of Antidepressants
These are some of the most common antidepressants. Doctors most often prescribe the first few – SSRIs, MAOIs, and SNRIs – for everyday depression.
These lists include the most common side effects and uses for each drug, as well as examples of each.
SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRIs mostly affect serotonin. This is a brain chemical responsible, among other things, for regulating your mood and mental health.
Reuptake inhibitors allow your brain to use more serotonin. After serotonin communicates with your brain cells, it makes its way back into the supplier cell. This is reuptake.
SSRIs prevent this reuptake. Instead, the serotonin remains in your brain where it continues to communicate with your brain cells.
Moreover, SSRIs sometimes cause headaches, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, digestive issues, weakness, anxiety and dry mouth. Examples include Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro.
SNRIs – Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
These drugs work on norepinephrine (adrenaline) as well as serotonin. As a result, this causes SNRIs to cause somewhat different side effects compared to SSRIs.
SNRIs sometimes cause headaches, loss of appetite, sexual dysfunction, weakness, sweating, dizziness, and insomnia. You may also find that you lose weight.
SNRIs are also used to treat fibromyalgia and hot flashes.
TCAs – Tricyclic Antidepressants
TCAs predate both SSRIs and SNRIs. They are not used as frequently nowadays. However, people who are resistant to other meds may receive a prescription for TCAs.
TCAs can treat a variety of problems, including nerve pain, social anxiety, fibromyalgia, and migraines. Unfortunately, TCAs cause a long list of side effects, which include headaches, dry mouth, digestive problems, insomnia, memory difficulty, weight changes, urinary problems, sexual dysfunction, sweating, and increased heart rate/blood pressure.
TCAs are known to cause more serious side effects than other antidepressants. These include high or low blood pressure and arrhythmia.
MAOIs – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
These drugs work by preventing your brain from producing monoamine oxidase. This chemical breaks down other chemicals, like serotonin and dopamine.
By preventing this chemical from working, you create a higher supply of neurochemicals. Many find that this eliminates depression, anxiety, and other related issues.
Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate are all examples of MAOI antidepressants.
However, MAOIs are notorious for causing many negative drug interactions. They may even interact badly with the food that you eat. Your doctor will likely inquire about your diet and any other drugs that you use.
Conclusion
There are many types of antidepressants available. Different people respond differently to each medication. It’s important that you talk with your doctor about this. Ensure that you’re receiving the medication that works best for you.
If you’re thinking about getting off of antidepressants, consider joining a group like Surviving Antidepressants. There, you’ll find a group of people with similar interests and experiences who want to help others.
Alternatively, if you’re thinking about switching to a different antidepressant, consider this guide. This will help you understand how to transition from one antidepressant to the next.
