Overview

Top 10 medication classes used for depression treatment:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro).

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - Examples include duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - Examples include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and imipramine (Tofranil).

Atypical Antidepressants - Examples include bupropion (Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron).

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) - Examples include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan).

Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs) - Examples include bupropion (Wellbutrin) and methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressants (NaSSAs) - Examples include mirtazapine (Remeron) and trazodone (Desyrel).

Benzodiazepines - Examples include alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Antipsychotics - Examples include quetiapine (Seroquel) and olanzapine (Zyprexa).

Mood Stabilizers - Examples include lithium (Eskalith) and valproic acid (Depakote).

It's important to note that not all medication classes may be suitable for every person, and the selection of medication will depend on the individual's specific symptoms, medical history, and other factors. Additionally, medication is often just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan for depression, which may also include therapy, lifestyle changes, and other interventions. Therefore, it's important to work closely with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment.