Antidepressants
Find out more about antidepressants, including types, common side effects, conditions they can be used to treat, and what happens when you come off them.
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What antidepressants are for
Antidepressants are a type of medicine mainly used to treat the symptoms of depression, as well as other conditions.
Types of antidepressants
The main types of antidepressant are:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – these are the most widely used type of antidepressants
- selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – these are now rarely used to treat depression
There are also several other types.
All types of antidepressant generally work as well as each other to treat symptoms of depression. But there are differences in who can take them and the side effects.
Some people find certain types work better for them, cause fewer side effects or cause side effects that are easier to deal with.
SSRIs will usually be the first type prescribed because the side effects are generally easier to manage, and they are less likely to cause serious problems if you take too much of the medicine.
If you're finding side effects hard to manage or do not feel your medicine is helping you, talk to your doctor.
More information
Side effects of antidepressants
Like all medicines, antidepressants can cause side effects.
Most side effects should ease after a couple of weeks as your body begins to get used to the antidepressant, but some may carry on.
The possible side effects depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking.
When you first start taking antidepressants, you will be seen by a doctor every 1 to 2 weeks. They will check with you to see how the medicine is working and how you're finding any side effects.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects
Who can take antidepressants
Most adults can take antidepressants.
They're usually not recommended to treat depression in children and young people under the age of 18, although sometimes they may be used along with another type of treatment.
Some antidepressants can be taken if you're pregnant. Your doctor will help you understand the benefits and risks of taking antidepressants if you're pregnant so you can decide on the best treatment for you and your baby.
Some antidepressants can be taken while breastfeeding if your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy.
Starting a new prescription for antidepressants
If you're 18 or over and are prescribed one of the most commonly used antidepressants for the first time, you can use the NHS New Medicine Service to get additional advice and support from a pharmacist.
Find out how to get help with newly prescribed medicines.
Taking antidepressants with alcohol, food or other medicines
Taking some antidepressants with alcohol, some foods or some other medicines can cause side effects and is not recommended.
It can cause problems if you take antidepressants with things such as:
- alcohol – this can make your symptoms worse, or make you feel sleepy or dizzy
- some other medicines – including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other antidepressants
- some types of food or drink
- drugs like cannabis or ketamine
- St John's wort – a herbal remedy sometimes taken for mild depression
Stopping or coming off antidepressants
You'll usually carry on taking antidepressants for at least 6 months after your symptoms improve.
Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking an antidepressant.
They will help you agree a plan for how to gradually reduce your dose to help with any withdrawal symptoms, usually over several weeks or months, until you've stopped the medicine entirely.
