ANTIDEPRESSANTS

This slide depicts what appears to be the current trend in prescribing of antidepressants. The first effort is generally made with an SSRI because of safety and improved tolerance. Then, should the response not be optimal, another antidepressant that targets a different neurotransmitter system or mechanism of action is often selected. When this, too, seems not to work, then consideration would be given to the older generation antidepressants such as the TCA's and MAOI's.