Table 2.

Drugs used for the treatment of depression

Classification	Examples	Mechanism of action	Common adverse effects
Tricyclic antidepressants	amitriptyline imipramine nortriptyline protriptyline desipramine	Block the presynaptic reuptake transporter for norepinephrine, serotonin, histamine, and/or acetylcholine	Sedation, confusion, memory and cognitive impairments, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, constipation, dizziness, tachycardia, urinary retention, impaired sexual function
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors	fluoxetine sertraline paroxetine fluvoxamine citalopram	Selectively inhibit 5-HT uptake	Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, insomnia & drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, weight loss
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors	phenelzine tranylcypromine selegiline	Inhibition of intracellular enzyme MAO in central nervous system neurons	Insomnia, dizziness, blurred vision, sexual dysfunction, hypertensive crisis
Atypical antidepressants	venlafaxine bupropion trazodone	Various, depending on antidepressant	Various, depending on antidepressant