Medication for depression

Antidepressant medications correct chemical imbalances in your brain, offering relief from the misery of depression. Specialized mental health practice Nurocoach has an office in Houston, Texas, and access to a nationwide network of highly skilled therapists via telehealth. They have considerable experience prescribing antidepressants to reduce symptoms without causing adverse effects. Call Nurocoach to learn more about medication for depression, or schedule a consultation online today.

What is medication for depression?

Medication and talk therapy often play a central role in treating mental health disorders. Antidepressant medicines affect functions in your brain that regulate mood, reducing the severity of your symptoms and helping you benefit more from therapy.

Finding the most effective antidepressant can be challenging. Everyone reacts differently to psychiatric medications, and it can be hard to predict which ones will help, which won’t, and which will cause unpleasant side effects. Nurocoach’s network of highly skilled therapists has considerable experience selecting effective medications for depression.

What medications are available for depression?

Medication for depression comes in various forms. The main antidepressant classes are:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are widely prescribed depression medications. They boost levels of serotonin in your brain, a neurotransmitter that enables neurons (nerve cells) to communicate with each other. Serotonin plays a key role in mood regulation, but people with depression often have low levels in their brains.

Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are similar drugs that also boost levels of another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. They can reduce anxiety as well as ease depression.

Tricyclic antidepressants

The way tricyclic antidepressants work isn’t entirely clear, but they can be helpful for people who don’t get along with SSRIs. Tricyclics also have sedative and pain-relieving properties.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

MAOIs prevent neurotransmitter breakdown. They aren’t in common use anymore because they readily interact with other drugs and can cause unpleasant side effects. They might be worth trying if other antidepressants aren’t working for you.

Other medications that can be helpful for depression include tetracyclic, dopamine reuptake blockers, and 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

What side effects can medications for depression cause?

Depression medications can sometimes cause side effects such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Agitation
• Palpitations
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss or gain
• Low sex drive
• Insomnia

You may have no side effects, a few mild ones, or some that prevent you from taking a particular medication.

Antidepressants can sometimes cause serious health issues, such as serotonin syndrome if your serotonin levels are too high, and hyponatremia, a dangerous drop in the body’s salt levels. Some people (especially adolescents and young adults) develop suicidal thoughts. 

At Nurocoach, providers are skilled in medication management, ensuring you get the most effective antidepressants that suit your needs without causing harmful side effects.  

Call Nurocoach today or book an appointment online to learn how medication can help you overcome depression.