Antidepressant Medications These medicines help balance chemicals in the brain to treat mood problems and manage other conditions. There are different types of antidepressant medicines. Some of the most common ones are listed below. Check the name of the medicine(s) you take: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors): Citalopram (Celexa) Isocarboxazid (Marplan) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Phenelzine (Nardil) Fluoxetine (Prozac) Tranylcypromine (Parnate) Fluvoxamine (Luvox) Paroxetine (Paxil) Other antidepressant medicines: Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Sertraline (Zoloft) Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) Vilazodone (Viibryd) Duloxetine (Cymbalta) TCAs (tricyclic medicines): Maprotiline (Ludiomil) Amitriptyline (Elavil) Mirtazapine (Remeron) Amoxapine (Asendin) Nefazodone (Serzone) Clomipramine (Anafranil) Olanzapine/fluoxetine (Symbyax) Desipramine (Norpramin) Trazodone (Desyrel) Doxepin (Sinequan) Venlafaxine (Effexor) Imipramine (Tofranil) Nortriptyline (Pamelor) Perphenazine/amitriptyline (Etrafon) Protriptyline (Vivactil) Trimipramine (Surmntil) What does this medicine do? - Reduces symptoms of depression - Reduces anxiety - Treats diabetic nerve pain - Controls obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) How do I take this medicine? - Antidepressants are pills you take by mouth. - Most antidepressants are taken once a day. - Take your pills at the same time or times of the day as your doctor has told you. - Some antidepressants need to be taken with food to avoid stomach upset. Other types should be taken at bedtime because they make you sleepy. If you have any questions, please contact our Health Management Team at 414-266-3173. Page 1 of 2 Antidepressant Medications What are the side effects? - Serious side effects. Seek care immediately if you have any of these problems: - Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself - Extreme agitation - Confusion - Seizures - Common side effects: - Sleepiness - Blurry eyesight - Loose stools (diarrhea) or hard stools (constipation) - Dry mouth - Trouble urinating - Weight changes - Sexual problems - Nervousness - Side effects vary for different types of antidepressants. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about side effects. Do I need to take special steps when taking this medicine? - Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. If you need to stop, your doctor will tell you how to cut down your dose slowly. - Talk to your doctor before taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. - Antidepressants react with many other medicines. Let your doctor know what other medicines you are taking. Tell your doctor if you start a new medicine or herb. - Stay away from strong sunlight and tanning lights. Cover up with clothes or use sunscreen if you need to be in the sun. - Avoid alcohol when taking this medicine. - Do not take more or less of the medicine without talking to your doctor. - Check with your doctor about changes in what you can eat if you take MAOIs. What else should I know? - Do not stop taking your antidepressant without talking to your doctor. - It may take a few weeks before you feel the medicine is working. - Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. - Ask your doctor before breast feeding your baby if you are taking an antidepressant. - Tell your doctor about any medical problems. This information is general in nature and may not apply to you or your condition. Talk to your doctor or nurse about how to best use this information and how to take care of your medical condition. Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse any questions you might have. This information sheet is not intended to provide or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions, please contact our Health Management Team at 414-266-3173. Page 2 of 2 .