Alternatives To Sertraline For Depression

Can You Get Addicted To Antidepressants

Even though antidepressants arent labeled as addictive,people can and do become physically dependent on them. When this happens, psychological and physical problems can occur. Individuals who take large doses of antidepressants are at risk of overdosing.

Antidepressants arent usually considered addictive. The reason is that individuals who are physically dependent on antidepressants do not give up on personal responsibilities. They also dont experience long-term addictive behaviors like a loss of control using them or cravings.

Some individuals misuse antidepressants to attempt to get high, even though these particular drugs wont produce the same euphoric effects as other addictive substances. Antidepressants dont provide instant relief from symptoms of depression. However, they do work overtime accumulating in the brain and often taking weeks to alleviate symptoms. Due to the antidepressant process being tedious, individuals believe they may need a larger dose to experience relief.

There is a slight number of people who may try to misuse antidepressants to get high. Most individuals are taking higher doses than needed because they feel they need more of the drug to experience its effects more intensely or quickly. When the depression is intense, waiting for the antidepressants to work can be tedious. In the meantime, some people may begin misusing other substances such as marijuana, alcohol, or prescription opioids as a way to cope.

Types Of Antidepressant Medications

There are several classes of antidepressants within each class there are many individual medications. While all antidepressants work well overall, no drug or type of drug works equally well for everyone who takes it. You may be advised to try more than one type of antidepressant or to use a combination of antidepressants to seek relief from your distress.

The different types of antidepressants are listed in the order in which they are most commonly prescribed. Medications are referred to in two ways: by their generic name and by their brand or trade names. Brand names available in Canada appear in brackets.

SSRIs

This group of drugs, including fluoxetine , paroxetine , fluvoxamine , citalopram , escitalopram and sertraline , is usually the first choice for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. These medications are known to have milder side-effects than some other antidepressants. Buspirone is similar to SSRIs and has been found to help with anxiety but not depression.

Common side-effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain, dry mouth, headaches, anxiety, sedation and a decrease in sexual desire and response. This group of drugs may also cause a jittery or restless feeling and sleep difficulties, such as problems falling asleep, waking in the night, vivid dreams or nightmares.

SNRIs

NDRIs

Common side-effects are jitteriness and insomnia.

NaSSAs

Common side-effects are drowsiness and weight gain.

Nonselective cyclics

MAOIs

What Can Individuals Do Instead Of Using Zoloft Prozac And Other Antidepressant Drugs

There are a handful of alternative remedies and supplements that can reduce certain symptoms of depression. Natural remedies and alternatives have grown in popularity in recent years. However, there is no evidence to suggest that they work as effectively as antidepressant medications.

If you want to make a change in your life and feel like you need something alternative to antidepressants, an effective first step would be speaking with your doctor about alternatives.

Once you understand why you are depressed, finding alternatives such as those listed above becomes an easier task. Sometimes we only need replacement parts for our house so we can live safely, but sometimes there is more wrong than just a piece that needs replacing or even fixing.

Don’t Miss: Va Rating For Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent Moderate

What Did It Find

• All 21 antidepressants were more likely to produce a treatment response after eight weeks treatment than a placebo. The most effective antidepressant compared to placebo was the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline, which increased the chances of treatment response more than two-fold . The least effective was the serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor reboxetine, which increased treatment response by 37% .
• Drop-out rates by eight weeks of treatment were similar to placebo for the majority of antidepressants. People were 30% more likely to stop taking the tricyclic clomipramine than placebo and slightly less likely to stop taking agomelatine or the SSRI fluoxetine .
• In head-to-head comparisons between the drugs, five were identified as having a combination of better effectiveness and lower drop-out rates, compared to others: the SSRIs escitalopram, paroxetine and sertraline, and atypicals agomelatine and mirtazapine. Reboxetine , trazodone and fluvoxamine were identified as having lower effectiveness and higher drop-out rates.
• Though absolute effect sizes were not reported in the results, the researchers described the effect sizes as modest. However, they also said that non-response to treatment will occur.

What Is The Prognosis For People Who Use Alternative Therapies For Depression

Scientists have yet to agree about the effectiveness of the alternative therapies listed here. It is difficult to predict a prognosis. Part of the journey of using alternative therapies is that you will have to do some experimentation to figure out what works and what doesnt work for you. Some people who have used alternative therapies have had success, and others havent. Stay in contact with your healthcare provider while you use these therapies.

Don’t Miss: How To Motivate Yourself To Study When Depressed

What Are The Costs Of Treatment

The cost to you for medicines to treat your depression depends on:

• Your health insurance

• Review Lowering the Chance of Getting Another Calcium Kidney Stone: A Review of the Research for AdultsJohn M. Eisenberg Center for Clinical Decisions and Communications Science. Comparative Effectiveness Review Summary Guides for Consumers. 2005
• Review Treating Chronic Hepatitis C: A Review of the Research for AdultsJohn M. Eisenberg Center for Clinical Decisions and Communications Science. Comparative Effectiveness Review Summary Guides for Consumers. 2005
• Middle management terminations: things HR probably won’t tell you.Snuttjer D. Radiol Manage. 2002 Jul-Aug 24:42-7.
• Review Medicines for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Review of the Research for AdultsJohn M. Eisenberg Center for Clinical Decisions and Communications Science. Comparative Effectiveness Review Summary Guides for Consumers. 2005
• Review Having a Breast Biopsy: A Review of the Research for Women and Their FamiliesJohn M. Eisenberg Center for Clinical Decisions and Communications Science. Comparative Effectiveness Review Summary Guides for Consumers. 2005

Antidepressants By Generic Name And Key Characteristics

Each of these drugs may be known by several different names, which we have listed below under the Generic name and Trade names columns. See our page on drug names for more information.

Also Check: What Is A Good Medicine For Anxiety And Depression

Alternatives To Antidepressant Medications

May 21, 2020

Quarantine got you down? Youre not alone. At Amen Clinicsone of the world leaders in applying brain imaging science to help people with emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and learning issuescalls from people experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts are way up.

According to a new poll 45% of Americans say the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their mental health. This is evidenced by the increased use of antidepressant medications during lockdown. According to a recent report, the number of new prescriptions for antidepressants filled during the pandemic jumped by nearly 19%. This isnt surprising considering the pandemic is ramping up stress, worry, and isolation. All of this can trigger your vulnerabilities. But before you call your doctor and ask for antidepressants, you need to get the facts about these drugs.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are one ofthe most commonly prescribed types of antidepressants, and they come with alaundry list of side effects, including sexual dysfunction, insomnia,headaches, and nausea. They also carry a black box warning, meaning theypose the most serious and dangerous potential side effects, such as suicidalthoughts. In addition, once you start taking SSRIs, it can be very hard tostop.

The good news is, there are alternatives toantidepressants. Here are 11 things to try before considering medication.

What Does Antidepressant Medications Do

Antidepressant medications increase the activity of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain. Increasing the activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine seems to help lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, the brain is a very complex organ and the reasons why these drugs work are not yet fully understood.

We do know that these drugs help to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in up to 70 per cent of people who try them. This rate is even higher when people who dont get relief with one type of antidepressant try a second type.

Don’t Miss: Strategies To Deal With Depression

What Are The Implications

The findings are of interest to GPs and psychiatrists, who need to decide on the best initial treatment for adults with moderate to severe depression. The comparative data may help doctors select drugs with better efficacy and side-effects.

However, treatment choice will be guided by an individual patient’s circumstances and preferences. The meta-analysis was unable to look at the potentially different effects of treatment on subgroups based on age, sex, the severity of symptoms or duration of illness.

The review did not consider combined drug and psychological treatments, as recommended by NICE for moderate to severe depression, or long-term effects which limit its applicability.

Antidepressant Abuse And Dependence

Antidepressants dont provide immediate relief from symptoms of depression. Instead, they work over time, accumulating in the brain and sometimes taking weeks to relieve symptoms. As a result, many people may believe that they need a larger dose to experience relief. While a small number of people may try to abuse antidepressants to get high, most people who misuse antidepressants are taking larger doses than necessary because they believe they need more of the drug to experience its effects more quickly or more intensely.

Waiting for antidepressants to start working can be difficult, especially if the depression is severe. Some people may also start abusing other substances like alcohol, , or prescription opioids as a way to cope in the meantime.

Antidepressants may sometimes be prescribed as a short-term solution, but long-term misuse of these drugs can have harmful consequences. Additionally, taking large doses of antidepressants is very dangerous and can cause seizures or overdose.

Once you are physically dependent or psychologically addicted, suddenly stopping your antidepressant use is very likely to cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Anxiety
• Electric shock sensations
• Return of depression symptoms6

You May Like: Im Super Stressed And Depressed

Ssri Alternatives: Other Options For Treating Depression

Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, commonly referred to as SSRIs, are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States.

SSRIs are primarily to treat depression. They work by increasing the level of serotonin in your brain and body. Serotonin plays an essential role in regulating your mood, and people with low levels of serotonin are often affected by depression.

For most people with depression or anxiety, SSRIs are a safe, effective form of treatment that produce real, noticeable results. However, not everyone with depression or anxiety gets good results from SSRIs.

For some people, SSRIs can cause side effects. For others, using an SSRI might not produce any significant improvement in their depression or anxiety symptoms.

Luckily, alternatives to SSRIs are available. From other antidepressants to psychotherapy and lifestyle changes, there are numerous SSRI alternatives that can allow you to treat depression or anxiety without using medications of this type.

Below, weve provided a complete list of SSRI alternatives for people affected by depression or anxiety disorders. Weve also explained how each option works, its advantages, disadvantages, potential side effects and more.

Alternatives To Ssri Antidepressants

• Exercise

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are commonly used in the treatment of depression. SSRIs have high prescription numbers and success rates, but they may not work for everyone.

Some people may be concerned about the serious side effects of SSRIs. If you are taking SSRIs and feel like your depressive symptoms have not improved, you could look for other options with your doctor.

SSRIs are among the most popular antidepressant medications, but they are not the only ones. Doctors may suggest alternative options if you are looking for SSRIs to treat depression. Here are seven.

You May Like: Signs Of A Depressive Episode

Is Fluoxetine Or Sertraline Better For Anxiety

There have been very few studies comparing fluoxetine and sertraline for treating anxiety, but there are studies comparing the two for the treatment of depression and depression/anxiety.

In one study, both fluoxetine and sertraline improved depression, but sertraline was associated with fewer side effects so more patients remained on the medication longer. In another study, the two medications showed similar effectiveness in patients with depression and anxiety.

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.

Want Alternatives To Ssris For Depression Try Neurofeedback

Dealing with depression is difficult. It can drain your energy and make simple things such as getting out of bed or going to work a daily challenge. Although SSRIs can be extremely beneficial in managing your symptoms, sometimes they dont provide you with the relief you really need. Thankfully, there are other treatment options to consider. If youre on the search for alternatives to SSRIs for depression, youve come to the right place.

But before we dive in, lets ensure you have a strong understanding of SSRIs and how they actually work.

Also Check: How To Get Out Of A Depression Spiral

What Treatments Are Available When An Ssri Does Not Work Well

There are many options a doctor may suggest for people whose depression symptoms do not improve enough from treatment with an SSRI:

• Increase the dose of the SSRI you take.
• It is important to never increase the amount of your medicine without your doctor telling you to do so.

Antidepressants Do Work Some Better Than Others

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Feb. 22, 2018 — Antidepressantdrugs actually do help ease depression, countering debate over whether the medications do what they’re supposed to, a large research review has found.

Some antidepressants, though, are more effective and better tolerated than others, the findings showed.

The researchers analyzed data from 522 trials — published and unpublished — that included more than 116,000 participants. Of the 21 antidepressants studied, all of them worked better than a placebo.

“In the short-term, for acute depression, antidepressants seem to work modestly,” said study author Dr. John Ioannidis. He’s a professor of disease prevention at Stanford University in California. “They do have some benefit, on average, but they are not a panacea. Clearly, we need more effective interventions.”

Antidepressants sold in the United States that the study found to be most effective included:

• Amitriptyline

Those that made the least-effective list of antidepressant drugs sold in the United States included:

• Luvox

When the researchers checked which depression drugs were tolerated the best, these topped the list:

• Celexa

The drugs that were found to be less well-tolerated included:

• Amitriptyline
• Luvox
• Oleptro

The study authors wrote that there’s been “a long-lasting debate and concern about efficacy and effectiveness, because short-term benefits are, on average, modest and because long-term balance of benefits and harms is often understudied.”

Show Sources

Recommended Reading: Social Media And Anxiety And Depression

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

SSRI drugs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are often considered the first line of defense against depression. They increase your brain’s level of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. This neurotransmitter is associated with feeling happy and content. SSRI side effects tend to be mild, and depression symptoms improve significantly for about 60% of people with moderate to severe depression.

Natural Antidepressants: An Alternative To Antidepressants

While most people with severe depression will take prescription antidepressants, some people with less severe depression may be able to treat their illness with natural antidepressants. Alternatives to antidepressant drugs include:

• Therapy
• Herbs
• Lifestyle changes

People may also want over-the-counter antidepressants to reduce the cost of depression treatment. Generic antidepressants may also be helpful in efforts to save money.

Don’t Miss: Medication For Stress Anxiety And Depression

Why Was This Study Needed

Depression is a common condition, affecting an estimated 1 in 10 adults at some point in their lives. Antidepressants are widely prescribed in primary and secondary care, along with psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioural or interpersonal therapy. There is conflicting evidence to guide which antidepressants should be prescribed first-line, although NICE recommends a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor .

There has been uncertainty in recent years about the effectiveness of antidepressants. Their mode of action is poorly understood, and improvement in mood tends to be modest. One 2008 meta-analysis suggested that antidepressants gave little benefit over placebo for mild to moderate depression.

This new analysis went to some lengths to find unpublished studies and additional data from published studies, to give us the best overview of the current state of research.