Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Treatments for these conditions work by changing the chemistry of the brain.
Graphic 60356 Version 3.0
View Originalfigure 1Mood disorders caused by problems in the brain
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Treatments for these conditions work by changing the chemistry of the brain.
Graphic 60356 Version 3.0
View OriginalGeneric name
US Brand name
Dry mouth Blurred vision Trouble urinating Constipation Dizziness
Drowsiness
Trouble sleeping Jitteriness
Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea
Weight gain
Sexual problems
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)*
Citalopram
Celexa
None
None
Very low
Very low
Very low
Moderate
Escitalopram
Lexapro
None
None
Very low
Very low
Very low
Moderate
Fluoxetine
Prozac, Sarafem
None
None
Low
Very low
Very low
Moderate
Fluvoxamine
Luvox
None
Very low
Very low
Very low
Very low
Moderate
Paroxetine
Paxil, Pexeva, others
Very low
Very low
Very low
Very low
Low
High
Sertraline
Zoloft
None
None
Low
Low -
Very low
Moderate
Atypical agents
Bupropion
Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Budeprion, others
None
None
Quick-release: Low
Sustained release: Very low
Very low
None
None
Mirtazapine
Remeron
Very low
High
None
None
High
Very low
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)*
Desvenlafaxine
Pristiq, Khedezla
None
Very low
Low
Very low (after week 1)
None
Moderate
Duloxetine
Cymbalta
None
None
Low
Low
None
Moderate
Milnacipran
Savella
Very low
Very low
None
Low
None
None
Venlafaxine
Effexor
None
Very low
Low
Quick-release: Low
Extended release: Very low
None
Moderate
Serotonin modulators
Trazodone
Desyrel (only sold as generic in US)
None
High
None
Sleep-aid dose: Very low
Antidepressant dose: Moderate
Sleep-aid dose: None
Antidepressant dose: Very low
Very low Ž ”
Vilazodone
Viibryd
None
None
Low
High
None
Low
Nefazodone ¢ — Š
Serzone (only sold as generic in US)
Very low
Low
None
Low
None
None
Graphic 81374 Version 12.0
Generic name
US Brand name
Dry mouth Blurred vision Trouble urinating Constipation Dizziness
Drowsiness
Trouble sleeping Jitteriness
Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea
Weight gain
Sexual problems
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Amitriptyline
Elavil (only sold as generic in US)
High
High
None
Very low
High
Moderate to high
Amoxapine
Asendin (only sold as generic in US)
Low
Low
Low
None
Low
Unknown
Clomipramine
Anafranil
High
High
Very low
Very low
High
High
Desipramine
Norpramin
Very low
High
Very low
None
Very low
Unknown
Doxepin
Silenor, Sinequan
Moderate
Moderate
None
None
High
Moderate
Imipramine
Tofranil
Moderate
Moderate
Very low
Very low
High
Moderate
Maprotiline
Ludiomil (only sold as generic in US)
Low
Moderate
None
None
Low
Unknown
Nortriptyline
Pamelor
Low
Low
None
None
Very low
Unknown
Protriptyline
Vivactil
Low
Very low
Very low
Very low
Very low
Moderate to high
Trimipramine
Surmontil
High
High
Very low
None
High
Unknown
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Isocarboxazid
Marplan
Very low
Very low
Low
Very low
Very low
High
Phenelzine
Nardil
Very low
Low
Very low
Very low
Low
High
Selegiline
Eldepryl, Emsam, others
Very low
None
Very low
None
None
None
Tranylcypromine
Parnate
Very low
Very low
Low
Very low
Very low
High
Graphic 91671 Version 3.0