It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s directions and take the prescribed medication for the recommended amount of time before deciding whether it works. Don’t stop taking the medication without talking to your provider first. In some cases, children, teens and adults under the age of 25 may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially when they first start them or when they take a different fluzone high dose quadrivalent vaccine. Antidepressants are prescription medications that help treat depression.

Plus, certain people will respond better to one class versus the other, and despite the science, there is a trial and error approach to finding the best medicine (thus, the "practice" of medicine). It may also have the most potential weight gain within this class of medications. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

Instead of blocking the reuptake of serotonin, gepirone acts as a serotonin receptor agonist, specifically stimulating serotonin receptors. This mechanism of action offers hope for individuals who may have tried other treatments yet failed to experience their antidepressant effects. Much like ketamine and Auvelity, Exxua targets the glutamate pathway, providing rapid relief of depression symptoms. Additionally, common adverse effects from other antidepressants such as weight gain and sexual dysfunction are not listed as possible side effects when taking Exxua. This breakthrough in mental health treatment offers a new alternative for the millions of people struggling with depression. These drugs can provide temporary relief, but they also come with side effects and safety concerns—some significant.

Many herbal or other over the counter products can have dangerous interactions with presribed medicines. Whenever taking both prescribed medications and over the counter products, always double check with both your primary care physician and pharmacist that the combination is safe. Dr. Shelton says benzodiazepines, including brand-name drugs like Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam), are considered poor choices for someone being treated for anxiety disorders and depression. They are effective temporarily, but have a risk of dependency with more than short-term use.

Similar to MDD, the goal of pharmacotherapy for GAD is sustained reduction of symptom burden. Exceptions are sometimes made for people with severe depression that fail to respond to other treatments. TCAs may also be recommended for other mental health conditions, such as OCD and bipolar disorder. Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions people experience.