Do different brands of antidepressants work differently?

WebMD explores the facts about generic antidepressants. The Food and Drug Administration sees no difference between brand-name and generic medications for depression. Most psychiatrists readily prescribe generics as effective copies of the original.

Why do doctors change antidepressants?

Switching to or adding a new medication increases the chances of successful depression treatment, according to a 2011 review in the journal Drugs. People switch depression medications for other reasons too, but it’s not always easy to know when or how to talk with your doctor about making a change.

How do doctors decide which antidepressant to prescribe?

How Does Your Doctor Select Which Antidepressant to Administer? Your doctor chooses which antidepressant medicine to recommend based on your symptoms, the presence of other medical conditions, what other medicines you are taking, cost of the prescribed treatments, and potential side effects.

What is the #1 antidepressant?

Zoloft is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant; nearly 17\% of those surveyed in the 2017 antidepressant use study reported that they had taken this medication. 3. Paxil (paroxetine): You might be more likely to have sexual side effects if you choose Paxil over other antidepressants.

What happens when you switch from one antidepressant to another?

Changing from one antidepressant to another can cause side effects. If you start taking a new medication before the old one is out of your system, you can develop a condition called serotonin syndrome (SS). Certain antidepressants work by increasing the amount of the chemical serotonin in your brain.

Can other medications be added to antidepressants to increase their effectiveness?

Other medications. Your doctor may recommend combining two antidepressants, or other medications may be added to an antidepressant to enhance antidepressant effects.

How do I know if my antidepressant side effects have improved?

See if the side effects improve. Many antidepressants cause side effects that improve with time. For example, initial side effects when starting an SSRI can include dry mouth, nausea, loose bowel movements, headache and insomnia, but these symptoms usually go away as your body adjusts to the antidepressant.

Are there any differences between antidepressants for depression?

Symptoms of depression can vary, and one antidepressant may relieve certain symptoms better than another. For example, if you have trouble sleeping, an antidepressant that’s slightly sedating may be a good option. Possible side effects. Side effects of antidepressants vary from one medication to another and from person to person.

Which antidepressants have the least amount of side effects?

These medications generally cause fewer bothersome side effects and are less likely to cause problems at higher therapeutic doses than other types of antidepressants are. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro).