Learn more about antidepressants and other drugs

If you're feeling depressed, speak with your doctor. There are more than 38 antidepressants available worldwide, and chances are that one will work for you. We'll teach you more about these and other medications.

• Not every antidepressant works for every person, and it may require a several tries to find the right fit.
• Two of the main drug classes are tricyclics like amitriptyline and imipramine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and paroxetine. They work equally well.
• SSRIs tend to have fewer side effects than tricyclics, which can result in weight gain and dry mouth.
• Studies find that patients who take SSRIs are more likely to stick with them. New data suggests that two SSRIs together often work significantly better than one alone.
• One of the newer antidepressants is venlafaxine. Unlike an SSRI, which works only to increase the amount of the mood-related chemical serotonin in the brain, venlafaxine increases the amounts of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.
• When researchers pooled data from eight well-designed studies that compared venlafaxine to SSRIs or a placebo, they found that scores on three depression scales declined more in people taking venlafaxine than in those taking SSRIs or placebos.
• You may have to try several drugs or drug combinations to find one that relieves your depression without unacceptable side effects. That said, some doctors are hesitant to switch patients from one antidepressant to another without first increasing the dosage or giving it enough time to work.
• Generally, if you don't show any improvement within two to four weeks of taking the highest recommended dose (which could be six weeks or more after you start taking the drug), it's time to switch. Note that most side effects abate within two weeks.

Doctors are getting much better at diagnosing and treating pain, so speak up if you're suffering. You might benefit from taking a tricyclic antidepressant not because you've got the blues, but because they've been found to take the edge off of neuropathy pain. Your doctor might also recommend an anticonvulsant drug such as gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine, which can reduce pain from nerve damage.

Deciding to go on a new medication is a big decision that you and your doctor should discuss thoroughly. Do as much research as possible, and expect to try a few different medications before finding one that "clicks" for you. With so many options available, it's likely that one drug or another will significantly improve your symptoms.