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Do you feel depressed? Do not feel ashamed. Women are more likely than men to feel depressed. About 1 woman in 5 has depression in the U.S.
There is hope.
Depression can be treated with medicine or counseling. Sometimes both are used. Talk to your doctor to find out what will work best for you.
Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medicines called antidepressants (an-tee-de-press-ants) that can help to treat depression. Ask your doctor to tell you about all of the risks of taking the different medicines. This guide only talks about some of the risks.
Everyone feels sad at times. People with depression feel sad most days. These feelings can get in the way of everyday life.
Talk to your doctor about your feelings if you have noticed these signs for at least 2 weeks. Only your doctor or counselor can tell you if you have depression.
Some women become depressed when they are pregnant or after they give birth. Other women notice that their depression gets worse during pregnancy.
No one knows the exact cause of depression during or after pregnancy. It may have something to do with:
Women should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking depression medicines during pregnancy.
Depression can make it hard for woman to take care of herself and her baby. It is important to talk to your doctor about your feelings. Also, try to get some help from your family, friends, or a support group.
Having a baby can be a joyful time. However, some women cry a lot and feel sad right after they have a baby. This is called "the baby blues". This feeling usually goes away after about two weeks.
If you still feel sad after two weeks, go to your doctor or clinic. You may be depressed. This type of depression is called postpartum depression
because it starts after a woman has a baby. A woman can have this kind of depression up to one year after she has a baby.
Like adults, kids can also feel depressed. You should watch your children for signs of depression. Talk to your children if you notice changes in their behavior. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are still concerned.
Prozac (Fluoxetine) is the only FDA-approved antidepressant for children and teens with depression. Talk to your doctor about important warnings for children and teens who take medicines for depression.
There are many different kinds of medicine for depression.
Read the information on the next few pages to find out some general facts about the different kinds of medicine for depression.
Tell your doctor about any medicines that you are taking. Do not forget about cold medicines and herbs like St. John's Wort. Some medicines will make you very sick if you take them while you are taking antidepressants.
Like any drug, depression medicines may cause some side effects. Do not stop taking your medicines without first talking to your doctor. Tell your doctor about any problems you are having. Your doctor will help you find the medicine that is best for you.
Children and teens who take antidepressants may be more likely to try to hurt or kill themselves.
What drugs am I taking?
What are the side effects?
What other prescription drugs should I avoid while taking my medicines?
What foods, herbs (like St. John's Wort), or over-the-counter medicines should I avoid?
When should I take each drug? How many times per day do I take each drug?
Can I take my medicines if I am pregnant or nursing?
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Celexa | Citalopram |
Lexapro | Escitalopram |
Paxil | Paroxetine |
Pexeva | Paroxetine |
Prozac | Fluoxetine |
Zoloft | Sertraline |
Mothers who take these drugs late in pregnancy may have babies with feeding problems and irritability.
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Emsam (Skin Patch) | Selegiline |
Marplan | Isocarboxzaid |
Nardil | Phenelzine |
Parnate | Tranylcypromine |
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Amitriptyline | |
Amoxapine | |
Norpramin | Desipramine |
Sinequan | Doxepin |
Tofranil | Imipramine |
Pamelor | Nortriptyline |
Vivactil | Protriptyline |
Surmontil | Trimipramine |
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Maprotiline |
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Trazodone |
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Remeron | Mirtazapine |
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Wellbutrin | Bupropion |
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Nefazodone |
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Effexor | Venlafaxine |
Mothers who take these drugs late in pregnancy may have babies with feeding problems and irritability.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Cymbalta | Duloxetine |
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Office of Women's Health
Web: www.fda.gov/womens/pubs.html#order
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Web: www.nimh.nih.gov
Phone: 1-866-615-6464
TTY: 1-866-415-8051
This information reflects FDA's current analysis of data available to FDA concerning these products. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information or analyses become available.
Check the following website for the most recent information about each drug: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/
2007