National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Antidepressants is the National Institute of Mental Health
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National Institutes of Health
Antidepressants
Also called: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs, Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression. Your doctor can prescribe them for you. They work to balance some of the natural chemicals in our brains. It may take several weeks for them to help. There are several types of antidepressants. You and your doctor may have to try a few before finding what works best for you.
Antidepressants may cause mild side effects that usually do not last long. These may include headache, nausea, sleep problems, restlessness, and sexual problems. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You should also let your doctor know if you take any other medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
It is important to keep taking your medicines, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor. You often need to stop antidepressants gradually.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health
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Start Here
- Depression: How to Safely Take Antidepressants(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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What Medications Are Used to Treat Depression?(National Institute of Mental Health)
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The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
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Overviews
- Antidepressants(Consumers Union of U.S.)
- Also available in Spanish
- Antidepressants: Selecting One That's Right for You(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Medicines for Treating Depression: A Review of the Research for Adults(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- Understanding Antidepressant Medications(Food and Drug Administration)
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Latest News
- Electrical Brain Stimulation Plus Drug Fights Depression(02/06/2013, HealthDay)
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Imaging Biomarker Predicts Response to Rapid Antidepressant(02/04/2013, National Institute of Mental Health)
- Prescription of Antidepressants for Children and Adolescents by Office-Based Physicians Is Typically Done Off-Label(02/01/2013, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- Antidepressants Celexa, Lexapro Tied to Irregular Heartbeat(01/30/2013, HealthDay)
- Antidepressants Don't Raise Stillbirth Risk(01/02/2013, Reuters Health)
- Headache and Nausea Most Common Side Effects among Adults and Adolescents Taking Antidepressants(01/01/2013, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- Medicare Part D Coverage Gap Reduces Antidepressant Use in the Elderly(12/01/2012, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- More News on Antidepressants
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Alternative Therapy
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St. John's Wort(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about St. John's Wort and Depression(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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St. John's Wort
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Nutrition
- MAOIs and Diet: Is It Necessary to Restrict Tyramine?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Coping
- Antidepressants: Get Tips to Cope with Side Effects(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Specific Conditions
- Atypical Antidepressants(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants and Tetracyclic Antidepressants(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Related Issues
- Antidepressants and Alcohol: What Is the Concern?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Antidepressants and Weight Gain: What Causes It?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Antidepressants: Another Weapon Against Chronic Pain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Antidepressants: Get Tips to Cope with Side Effects(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Antidepressants: Safe during Pregnancy?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Antidepressants: Which Cause the Fewest Sexual Side Effects?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) Genotyping Test(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Medications and Side Effects(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - PDF
- Migraine Medications and Antidepressants: A Risky Mix?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Serotonin Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Antidepressants(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Antidepressants
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Research
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Antidepressants: A Complicated Picture(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Brain Signal ID's Responders to Fast-Acting Antidepressant(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) Study(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Antidepressants: A Complicated Picture
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Organizations
- NAMI
- Also available in Spanish
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National Institute of Mental Health
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Statistics
- Antidepressant Use in Persons Aged 12 and Over: United States, 2005-2008(National Center for Health Statistics)
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MedlinePlus Magazine
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Children
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Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Antidepressants for Children: Explore the Pros and Cons(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Use of Medication in Treating Childhood and Adolescent Depression: Information for Patients and Families(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association) - PDF
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Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers
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Patient Handouts
- Depression - stopping your medicines
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
