What Are The Types Of Antidepressant Medication?
Several classes of medication have been developed for the treatment of depression: TCA, SSRI, MAOI, and atypical antidepressants. These medications may be used for individuals with autism. The first class is the tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs. This class has many side effects and overdose can be fatal. Another type is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. They more specifically act on serotonin and are much safer. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs are only used when the individual fails to respond to safer medications. You must adhere to the dietary restriction of tyramine-containing foods to avoid possible fatal consequences. Other antidepressant medications which do not completely fit into the above classes are often called atypical antidepressants. Some of these atypical antidepressants work with serotonin and norepinephrine, and so they are sometimes called serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRI. Some examples of SNRIs are listed below.
These medications are effective for chronic neuropathic (nerve) pain in addition to depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder because of their influence on norepinephrine. Even more atypical antidepressants are listed below.
Bupropion has been known to increase the risk of seizure and trazodone may cause priapism (prolonged painful erection). Side effects of the atypical antidepressants are rather similar to those of the SSRIs. Fortunately, these atypical antidepressants do not appear to be fatal like MAOIs and TCAs. Antidepressants in general may precipitate a manic episode for individuals with bipolar disorder. Please discuss your questions about these medications further with your physician or pharmacist.
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