Amitriptyline (Elavil) is the most popular TCA (tricyclic antidepressant) medication on the market. It is primarily utilized for the treatment of depression, and in other cases, migraine headaches and anxiety disorders. The drug functions primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of the serotonin transporter, which increases extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Although serotonin is primarily …
Trazodone (Desyrel) is a medication that is approved for the treatment of depression. It is classified as an atypical antidepressant that functions as a “SARI” (serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor). In addition to inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, it also blocks excess serotonin at various receptor sites. It is believed that the combined effect of …
Effexor (Venlafaxine) is a common antidepressant medication that is classified as an SNRI. It functions by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. It differs from standard SSRI medications in that it also targets norepinephrine, which often elicits a stimulatory effect on the user. Some believe that increasing norepinephrine in addition to serotonin makes …
Zoloft (Sertraline) is an antidepressant medication that has been around since 1991. It functions as an SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) to increase extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The drug is considered effective at treating a variety of conditions including major depression, social anxiety disorder, panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Despite being around since the …