Medications Prescribed for Depression

There are quite a lot of medications that sometimes are prescribed for the treatment of depression. Here are 3 broad categories:

* the medications that we typically call antidepressants—those approved by the FDA with specific indications for the treatment of depression
* medications prescribed for treating bipolar disorder that may treat or prevent depressive episodes
* certain medications prescribed along with antidepressants to augment their effects, most commonly when an antidepressant alone has not been satisfactory

Meds developed for depression. There are about 20 medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression. While some are similar in their pharmacologic actions, others are unique. It is curious that such a broad spectrum of different types of medications can improve mood.

Which one is best? That depends on the individual. In research studies with groups of depressed people, all of these medications tend to be equally effective; however, sometimes individuals respond better to one or another. Often, the selection of an antidepressant has more to do with avoiding side effects than a particular medication's effectiveness.

Meds developed for bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers developed for bipolar disorder can also help prevent depression, as well as mania. Drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of bipolar disorder include lithium, lamotrigine (Lamictal), valproate (Depakote), carbamazepine (Equetro), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Respirdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), and ziprasidone (Geodon). Occasionally, other anticonvulsants are recommended for their possible mood stabilizing effects. Meds that augment antidepressants. Many different medications have been prescribed to augment antidepressants. Although the use of several different drugs is supported by research studies, most have not been evaluated by the FDA for this purpose. Among these augmenting medications are lithium, thyroid medications, stimulants, some antipsychotics, and a few miscellaneous drugs. Aripiprazole (Abilify) has been specifically approved by the FDA as an add-on medication for patients with major depression.

Herbal remedies for depression. Are there natural remedies for major depression? People sometime do take herbal preparations or try other alternative-medicine approaches. The remedy that has gained some support from research studies is St. John's wort, which is derived from plants in the hypericum genus. St. John's wort, which is not regulated by the FDA for use in the U.S., is most likely to be helpful in milder cases of depression.