Common Antidepressants

With new developments in medicine occurring every day, scientists have a wide variety of antidepressant drugs available for them to prescribe. This article will focus on two of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, Zoloft and Prozac, and a relatively new antidepressant called Wellbutrin XL.

Zoloft

Zoloft is a popular antidepressant prescribed for patients with disorders ranging from mood swings to social anxiety. Zoloft, a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), helps to rebalance the level of serotonin in the brain. As with most SSRIs, patients will generally begin to feel results after four to six weeks; however, some patients may experience relief in as little as two weeks. A non-habit forming drug, Zoloft is packaged in a variety of doses to aid your doctor in finding the correct treatment dosage.

The most common side effects of Zoloft include changes in appetite, agitation and either difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much. As with any medication, take the prescribed dosage and check with your doctor before making any changes to your routine.

Prozac

Fluoxetine hydrochloride, more popularly known as Prozac, has been prescribed to millions of people since its inception in the late 1980s. Like Zoloft, Prozac works as an SSRI to rebalance the brain’s serotonin levels. Unlike some other antidepressants, Prozac targets only serotonin.

The recommended course for Prozac ranges from six to 12 months in length. Although as with Zoloft, patients may experience relief within the first two weeks, it is highly recommended to continue long-term treatment to prevent the disease from recurring.

Prozac Weekly is a new development in the field of antidepressants. Designed to be taken just once a week, the pill contains a unique coating that enables the medicine to remain at therapeutic levels until the next dosage. Patients wishing to try Prozac Weekly should consult with their doctor and should already be taking 20 milligrams of Prozac daily.

Wellbutrin XL

Wellbutrin XL is a relatively new antidepressant containing the active ingredient bupropion. The drug touts itself as having a low risk of sexual side effects or weight gain, two factors that raise concerns about the consumption of most antidepressant drugs.

Taken once a day, the pill also boasts a low risk of other side effects, including dizziness, loss of appetite, and sleep disruption. Usually taken in 300 milligram tablets, the pill dissolves slowly throughout the day to ensure a constant therapeutic level of medicine.