It includes drugs such as Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil ( amitriptyline), Pamelor (nortriptyline), and Norpramin (desipramine). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs are an older category of antidepressant with more side effects than newer antidepressants.Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): This category includes Effexor XR (venlafaxine), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and Fetzima (levomilnacipran).Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): This category includes commonly prescribed medications like Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Viibryd (vilazodone).Then the question becomes: What is the best medication to switch to? There are many potential choices from these categories of antidepressants : Choosing a new antidepressant that is best for you “It’s always better to talk to your doctor about these changes,” says Dr. You might experience some withdrawal symptoms, especially if you stop abruptly. If you’re struggling to cope with the side effects-it may be time to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.ĭon’t try stopping or changing medications on your own. But for other people, side effects like a low libido, dry mouth, or nausea are deal breakers. Not everyone experiences side effects, and some people are willing to tolerate certain side effects from medication if it’s helping their depression. If you’re not feeling better when taking a higher (or even the maximum) dose, it might be time to discuss trying something else-or adding another medication. Consult your healthcare provider, who can slowly and carefully increase the dose. If an antidepressant isn’t working after approximately six weeks, it could be that the dose is too low. Six weeks can usually provide insight, one way or another, suggests Gonzalo Laje, MD, MHSc, director at Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. TimeĪntidepressants need time to reach their maximum effectiveness. Antidepressants can be ineffective in a variety of ways.
One of the most common reasons that people switch antidepressants is they feel their current medication isn’t really helping them. Common reasons for switching antidepressants If you’re concerned that your current prescription isn’t as effective as it should be, talk to your doctor about switching antidepressants. You may have to change medications at some point to find one that works well for you.
You spend a lot of time thinking about it, weighing the pros and cons, and talking to your healthcare provider about options, before deciding to try a prescription medication.įinding the right antidepressant can require some trial and error, some fine-tuning. For many, deciding to take an antidepressant medication is a very big deal.