Medications Used to Treat Mental Disorders: Know the Options

What Medications Are Used to Treat Depression?

When treating depression, several medication options are available. Some of the most commonly used include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. Other options include older medications such as the tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which may be less tolerated and cause more side effects. Other medications include Wellbutrin, trazodone (Desyrel), Effexor, and Remeron.

Your health care provider can determine which medication is right for you. Remember that medications usually take 4 to 8 weeks to become fully effective. And if one medication does not work, there are many others to try before giving up.

In some cases, a combination of antidepressants may be necessary. Sometimes an antidepressant combined with a different type of medication, such as a mood stabilizer (such as lithium) or anti-anxiety drug, is the most effective treatment.

Side effects vary, depending on what type of antidepressant medication you are taking, and may improve once your body adjusts to the medication.

If you decide to stop taking your antidepressants, it is important that you gradually reduce the dose over a period of several weeks. Quitting antidepressants abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. It is important to discuss quitting (or changing) medications with your health care provider first.

What Medications Are Used to Treat anxiety disorders?

Antidepressants, particularly the SSRIs, may also be effective in treating many types of anxiety disorders.

Other antianxiety medications include the benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Ativan and . These drugs do carry a risk of addiction so they are not as desirable for long term use. Other possible side effects include drowsiness, poor concentration and irritability.