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Index of Medications

This list pairs the Trade Names of antidepressants with their generic names. Sometimes you can find additional information about a medication under its generic name, that might not be listed under its trade name. As we gather more information about specific medications, we will be adding links from the medication name directly to expanded information on that specific drug. Otherwise, please consult the reference list at the bottom of the page for additional information.

Antidepressant Medications

 

Warning

Suicidality in Children and Adolescents — Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in short-term studies in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of any antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this risk with the clinical need. Patients who are started on therapy should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Most antidepressants (except Prozac) are not approved for use in pediatric patients. Pooled analyses of short-term (4 to 16 weeks) placebo-controlled trials of 9 antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and others) in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or other psychiatric disorders (a total of 24 trials involving over 4400 patients) have revealed a greater risk of adverse events representing suicidal thinking or behavior (suicidality) during the first few months of treatment in those receiving antidepressants. The average risk of such events in patients receiving antidepressants was 4%, twice the placebo risk of 2%. No suicides occurred in these trials.

Questions for Your Doctor

To increase the likelihood that an antidepressant medication will work well, you and your family must actively participate with the doctor prescribing it. Consistent and open communication with your doctor is essential to managing your condition. When talking with your doctor, it's important to communicate all of your symptoms.

A successful discussion with your doctor often depends on the way you answer his or her questions. Rather than responding with "OK" or "fine" to the question "How are you feeling?," try to provide as much information as possible. This will help your doctor better understand you and your condition so he or she can ultimately be better prepared to assess your treatment.

Tell the doctor about your past medical history, other medications being taken, anticipated life changes such as planning to have a baby and, after some experience with a medication, whether it is causing side effects. When a medication is prescribed, you should ask the following questions, recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

  • What is the name of the medication, and what is it supposed to do?
  • How and when do I take it, and when do I stop taking it?
  • What foods, drinks, other medications, or activities should I avoid while taking the prescribed medication?
  • What are the side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
  • Is there any written information available about the medication?

References

AHFS Drug Information, 91. Gerald K. McEvoy, Editor. Bethesda, Maryland: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, Inc., 1991.

Goodwin F.K. and Jamison K.R. Manic-Depressive Illness. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.

Jensen P.S., Vitiello B., Leonard H., and Laughren T.P. Child and adolescent psychopharmacology: expanding the research base. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, Vol. 30, No. 1, 1994.

Physicians' Desk Reference, 52nd edition. Montvale, New Jersey: Medical Economics Data Production Company, 1998.

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Reviewed: 03/2007