Antidepressants: MedlinePlus [NEW TOPIC PAGE]

Antidepressants: MedlinePlus

Antidepressant Withdrawal: Is There Such a Thing?

12/18/2013 02:00 PM EST

Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Related MedlinePlus Page: Antidepressants

Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions

12/18/2013 02:00 PM EST

Source: Food and Drug Administration - PDF
Related MedlinePlus Page: Antidepressants

A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Amitriptyline and perphenazine overdose
• Amitriptyline hydrochloride overdose
• Depression - stopping your medicines
• Desipramine hydrochloride overdose
• Doxepin overdose
• Imipramine overdose
• Norpramin overdose
• Serotonin syndrome
• Trazodone hydrochloride overdose

Related Topics

• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Drug Therapy
• Mental Health and Behavior

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Antidepressants is theNational 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
• What Medications Are Used to Treat Depression?(National Institute of Mental Health)

• Overviews

  •  Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions(Food and Drug Administration) - PDF
  • 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)
  • Also available in Spanish

• Latest News

  • Antidepressants and Autism(12/19/2013, HealthDay)
  • Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy Not Linked to Autism(12/18/2013, HealthDay)
  • Exercise Might Lift Libido in Women on Antidepressants(12/12/2013, HealthDay)
  • More Than 6 Percent of U.S. Teens Take Psychiatric Meds: Survey(12/04/2013, HealthDay)
  • More News on Antidepressants

• Alternative Therapy

  • St. John's Wort and Depression(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
  • Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about St. John's Wort and Depression(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

• 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)
  • Treatment Options When Your SSRI Antidepressant Is Not Working Well(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants and Tetracyclic Antidepressants(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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• Related Issues

  •  Antidepressant Withdrawal: Is There Such a Thing?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • 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: Can They Stop Working?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • Antidepressants: Get Tips to Cope with Side Effects(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) Tests(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

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Antidepressants(National Institutes of Health)
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• Research

  • Imaging Biomarker Predicts Response to Rapid Antidepressant(National Institute of Mental Health)
  • Ketamine Cousin Rapidly Lifts Depression without Side Effects(National Institute of Mental Health)
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• Journal Articles

  References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
  • Article: Treatment of the depressive phase of bipolar affective disorder: a...
  • Article: Opportunities for reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase-A (RIMAs) in the...
  • Article: Psychotherapy, antidepressants, and their combination for chronic major depressive disorder:...
  • Antidepressants -- see more articles
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• Organizations

  • NAMI
  • Also available in Spanish
  • 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

  • When Medication Is Prescribed
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• Children

  • Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers(National Institute of Mental Health)
  • Antidepressants for Children and Teens(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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• Women

  • Antidepressants: Safe during Pregnancy?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • Depression--Medicines To Help You(Food and Drug Administration)
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• Patient Handouts

  • Depression - stopping your medicines
  • Also available in Spanish