Antidepressants

Antidepressants are a class of medication designed to counteract the feeling of depression. They can only be prescribed by a doctor such as a GP, specialist doctor or psychiatrist. 

Antidepressants work by changing the level of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain, which are thought to be in low supply. They include noradrenaline (aka norepinephrine) and serotonin.  Anti-depressants fall into a number of different categories depending on their action within the body.  For further information on the way they work, please select from the categories below. 

Anti-depressants fall into the following main categories:

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSA)
Noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor (NRI)
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) 
Tetracyclic antidepressants

The information contained within these links is periodically reviewed by a pharmacist from the depressioNet Healthcare Professional Advisory Team or other appropriately qualified professional. A number of drugs listed on this site are subsidised by the Australian Government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.  Where this is the case you can access information including Consumer Medical Information by following the link from that drug.

The information within these pages should only be used as reference and if you have any questions about any particular medications, you should always consult your doctor.

References:

ANU

Black Dog Institute