What is antidepressants?

Antidepressants are medicines that are often prescribed to help treat depression. They may help affect moods. There are different types. And they are sometimes used to help treat other conditions. These include anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain.

There are many types of antidepressants. They include:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Some examples are:

• Citalopram.
• Fluoxetine.
• Sertraline.

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Some examples are:

• Duloxetine.
• Venlafaxine.

Atypical antidepressants.

These include:

• Bupropion.
• Mirtazapine.
• Trazodone.

Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants.

These include:

• Amitriptyline.
• Nortriptyline.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

An example is selegiline.

Antidepressant medicines may work well for children who are depressed. But there are some important things you should know about these medicines.

Children who take antidepressants should be watched closely.

These medicines may increase the risk that a child will think about or try suicide, especially in the first few weeks of use. If your child takes an antidepressant, learn the warning signs of suicide, and get help right away if you see any of the signs.

Antidepressants may take time to work.

Your child may start to feel better within a few weeks after starting antidepressant medicines. But it can take up to 2 to 3 months. And even then, antidepressants don't work for everyone. Make sure your child takes antidepressants as prescribed and keeps taking them so they have time to work.

It may take time to find the right medicine.

A child may need to try several different antidepressants to find one that works. If you notice any warning signs or have concerns about the medicine, or if you do not notice any improvement as expected, talk to your child's doctor.

Stopping treatment too soon can lead to relapse.

After the right medicine and dosage is found, your child may need to continue taking the medicine for several months or longer after the symptoms of depression have subsided. This may help prevent depression from occurring again.

Side effects may vary. They depend on the medicine you take. But common ones include:

• Nausea.
• Dry mouth.
• Loss of appetite.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Sexual problems. (These may include loss of desire or erection problems.)
• Headaches.
• Trouble falling asleep. Or you may wake up a lot at night.
• Weight gain.
• Feeling nervous or on edge.
• Feeling drowsy in the daytime.

Problems with sexual arousal and a lack of interest in sex are common side effects. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor. There are other medicines that may help with these problems.

Mild side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a few weeks. If the side effects bother you, talk with your doctor. You may need a different medicine. Or the doctor may suggest ways to manage your side effects.

Cautions for antidepressants include the following:

• If you plan to stop taking antidepressants, talk with your doctor first about how to do it safely. Your doctor may want you to slowly decrease how much you take. Suddenly stopping can cause side effects. It may also cause your depression to come back or get worse.
• If antidepressants work well for you, talk with your doctor about how long you should take them. Your doctor may suggest taking them for at least 6 months after you feel better. This may help keep you from getting depressed again.
• Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. And talk to your doctor before starting any new medicines. Taking too much antidepressant medicine or taking more than one type of medicine that affects serotonin can lead to a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.