Commonly Prescribed Antidepressants And How They Work

A doctor will give you this medicine through your veins for 60 hours, and you’ll have to stay in the hospital for a few days while taking it. For example, high doses of citalopram may cause dangerous abnormal heart rhythms, so doses over 40 milligrams (mg) a day should be avoided according to the FDA and the manufacturer. They also recommend a maximum daily dose of 20 mg of citalopram for people over age 60. As all SSRIs work in a similar way, their side effects tend to be similar, too. But each SSRI has a different chemical makeup, so it’s possible that if you’re having side effects from one, you may not have as many, or any at all, if you switch to another.

To get antidepressants online, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Klonopin, provide rapid relief from a panic attack. Providers may also prescribe them to prevent cases of acute anxiety like those stemming from a plane ride, for those with a fear of flying, or the moments leading up to a surgery. Anxiety is a natural part of life, and most of us experience it at some point. Smelling diluted aromatherapy oils may help reduce anxiety, according to a 2023 research review. Taking 15-minute intervals of quiet time and meditation to focus on deep breathing and relaxation can help calm your anxiety.

But when anxiety begins to affect your day-to-day, more long-term solutions are needed. SSRIs and SNRIs are antidepressants commonly used to treat anxiety. When you decide taking an antidepressant is right for you, it can take time to find the right one. Each person experiences depression a bit differently, so there is no "one-size-fits-all" medication.

According to research, Royal Meds Pharma the effects of benzodiazepines occur within 30–60 minutes. These fast-acting drugs may help with anxiety symptoms such as panic attacks, insomnia, and muscle tension. A 2015 study published in the World Journal of Psychiatry states that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common depressive disorder. This article will explore how often anxiety and depression occur together, which medications treat both conditions, management tips, and more.

But SSRIs aren’t the only type of antidepressant out there—and not everyone with depression needs to increase their levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter (a.k.a chemical messenger) responsible for feelings of well-being. Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy can lead to dependence in the developing baby, with withdrawal following birth. Therefore, pregnant women need to have a thorough discussion about the risks and benefits of these medications with their prescribing doctor. If medication is necessary, the goal is the smallest effective dose. According to the FDA, benzodiazepines can worsen cases of pre-existing depression, and more recent studies suggest that they may potentially lead to treatment-resistant depression.

They also can’t be combined with stimulants or other antidepressants. Two 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, nefazodone (Serzone) and trazodone (Oleptro), are used to treat depression. Depression is a mental health issue that starts most often in early adulthood.