Antidepressant Medications
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Tricyclic antidepressants were the first antidepressants and were introduced to
the psychiatric community towards the end of the 1950s. They are also the first
choice of drug prescribed for people with major depression.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs were first introduced in 1987 and since that time have become the most
commonly prescribed group of antidepressants, racking up over $3 billion in
sales annually. SSRIs are as effective as tricyclics but they do not cause
hypotension, sedation, or the anticholinergic effects.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
For most people with depression the monoamine oxidase inhibitors are the second
or third choice for medication to deal with their disorder. They have the same
effectiveness as the tricyclics and SSRIs but their side effects are much more
dangerous.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Bupropion is different in the world of antidepressant medications because it
works much like an amphetamine.
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