The majority of antidepressant medications mentioned in this article have a boxed warning, the most serious type of warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They pose a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Remember to discuss the risks and keep in touch with your healthcare provider during the whole course of treatment.
Highlights
- Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and others) regulate neurotransmitter levels, helping manage depression and anxiety.
- Antidepressant medications are available only by prescription.
- After a thorough assessment, a licensed medical practitioner can prescribe antidepressants online as a part of a treatment plan.
Antidepressants have proven to be effective in treating depression and anxiety but many patients still encounter
Open communication and debunking myths are essential for addressing stigma. Read on to learn more about antidepressants, when they can be prescribed, how to obtain a prescription when needed, and what to discuss with a healthcare provider to make an informed decision about available treatments.
What Are Antidepressants and How Do They Work?
Antidepressants are most commonly used to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety when individuals experience it for a prolonged period of time.
Our mood is controlled by chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. According to the monoamine hypothesis, an imbalance in neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine lead to anxiety and depression. Antidepressant medications work by regulating the levels of these neurotransmitters, which helps to relieve symptoms.
Do You Need Antidepressants?
Figuring out whether or not you need antidepressants is a decision made in collaboration with a qualified medical provider. If you are continuously feeling sad, anxious, hopeless, or have suicidal thoughts, and these symptoms start impacting your daily life, it is a sign to plan a mental health consultation. A healthcare professional will thoroughly assess your symptoms along with overall health history and offer suitable solutions.
Antidepressants are more effective in the treatment of
If you’re experiencing suicidal or self-harming thoughts and require immediate assistance, contact a crisis hotline, such as 911, 988 suicide & crisis lifeline (toll-free), or Samaritans (116-123 or via chat).
What Conditions Do Antidepressants Treat?
Antidepressants are primarily formulated to help alleviate
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) [5*] - Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder (PD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Do You Need a Diagnosis for Antidepressants?
Yes, you need to have a diagnosis provided by a qualified healthcare professional to receive an antidepressant prescription. The process includes an extensive evaluation of your symptoms, their duration and impact on your daily life, medical history, current medications, and other relevant factors such as mood changes and sleep patterns.
After making a diagnosis, a practitioner creates a
You can begin with taking a
How to Get Prescribed Antidepressants
At MEDvidi, you can see a medical provider specializing in depression treatment who can define whether antidepressants are an appropriate treatment option for you. The process includes the following steps:
- Sign up: Create an account and provide basic information to book an appointment.
- Book an appointment: Schedule a video call with one of our licensed healthcare professionals at a convenient time slot.
- Initial online consultation: Discuss your symptoms, previous treatments, and medical history in detail with your clinician and ask any questions you have.
- Receive personalized treatment plan: You’ll be provided with a treatment plan according to your individual needs. If your provider thinks antidepressants are needed to manage your symptoms they will issue you a prescription.
- Fill out your prescription: Track the status of your electronic prescription in your Personal Portal and stay informed about the time to collect it at a pharmacy.
Note that some mental health disorders requiring antidepressant medication, such as severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and some others, need ongoing monitoring. Discuss the necessity of follow-up appointments with your clinician.
Who Can Prescribe Antidepressants?
Different medical professionals can prescribe antidepressant medications upon assessing patients’ condition
- Psychiatrists
- Medical doctors (MDs)
- Primary care physicians (PCPs)
- Physician assistants (PAs)
- Nurse practitioners (NPs)
Getting Depression Medication In-Person
Consulting with a healthcare professional about depression treatment in-person is a similar process to online consultations. During the appointment, discuss your concerns in detail, be it depressive symptoms, the signs of anxiety, or other distressing experiences. After an assessment, you’ll receive personalized recommendations and a treatment plan, including medication prescription if appropriate.
Can Online Doctors Prescribe Antidepressants?
If a healthcare professional is licensed to practice in the same state as the one you reside in they can prescribe medication online, including antidepressants. They can do so only after an appointment involving a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and health history. Medical professionals at MEDvidi are licensed in several states across the US.
Can You Get Antidepressants Over-the-Counter?
No, antidepressant medications aren’t available to purchase over the counter (OTC). They are classified as prescription medications due to potential adverse effects and the need for monitoring. Hence they are subject to strict FDA regulations necessitating a valid prescription from a healthcare practitioner for legal and safe usage.
There are several OTC supplements for managing depressive symptoms, including Omega-3 fatty acids and herbs like St. John’s wort. Note that it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before using them because there is
Types of Antidepressants
Following are the various
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): They work by inhibiting the reabsorption of serotonin hence increasing its levels. Examples: citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft).
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): They act by controlling both serotonin as well as norepinephrine reabsorption in the nervous system. Examples: duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): This type of antidepressant medication works by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain but they are less selective compared to SSRIs and SNRIs, which increases the risk of side effects. Examples: amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil).
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme present in the brain that is involved in removing norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. MAOIs work by inhibiting this enzyme hence increasing neurotransmitter levels. Examples: isocarboxazid (Marplan) and phenelzine (Nardil).
- Atypical antidepressants: These antidepressants do not fit into any of the above classes. They have multiple mechanisms to help manage depression. Examples: bupropion (Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron).
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA): These medications work by inhibiting the use of the NMDA receptor to alleviate symptoms. Only two FDA-approved NMDA antagonist medications are available: esketamine (Spravato) and dextromethorphan/bupropion (Auvelity).
How to Discuss the Use of Antidepressants With a Doctor
If any mental health symptoms disturb you, share your concerns with a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Here is what is recommended to discuss during an appointment:
- Describe your symptoms and their effect on your life honestly and in detail.
- Ask any questions you may have regarding depression medicines or your treatment plan in general.
- If you are hesitant about taking certain antidepressants, request more information about their effectiveness, side effects and how to deal with them, how long it can take to see the effects, and how to know it’s time to select another treatment. Ask your clinician about modern antidepressants and how they compare to older ones. These questions will help you become more informed about available treatments.
- Discuss alternative and complementary treatment options for the diagnosed condition.
Questions to Ask Your Clinician About Taking Antidepressants
During your appointment, consider asking the following:
- Which antidepressant can be most appropriate for my condition and how does it work?
- What is my prescribed dosage? Can it change over time and what can be a reason for a change?
- When should I take my medication? Does it make any difference if I take it at a different time?
- What are the side effects I should look out for, which ones require immediate medical attention?
- How long will it take for an antidepressant to start working and when does it reach full effects?
- What should I do if it feels like the medication isn’t working?
- What other strategies can I incorporate in my life during treatment to support the effects of antidepressants?
- When should I have follow-up appointments and why are they necessary?
- Which medications or substances should I avoid during antidepressant treatment?
- Is this medication safe if I am pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant?
In addition,
- Gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, indigestion, or diarrhea
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Sleep issues or vivid dreams
- Headaches
- Decreased libido
A serious potential side effect is serotonin syndrome when the levels of serotonin in the brain become excessively high. This condition might be life-threatening and requires medical attention. Also, the majority of antidepressants have a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is important to monitor such symptoms and report them to your clinician as soon as possible. Finally, remember to discuss the course of action in the case you have adverse reactions.
Can You Get Antidepressants Without a Doctor?
Each currently available antidepressant is a prescription medication, so you can’t obtain it without seeing a healthcare professional first. It is necessary to consult with a licensed practitioner online or in person to know if your condition requires antidepressant treatment and receive a prescription.
If it isn’t possible for you to go visit a doctor’s office for any reason, you can use telehealth services such as MEDvidi.
How MEDvidi Can Help
MEDvidi offers telemedicine appointments with medical professionals experienced in mental health treatment and licensed to prescribe antidepressant medications online when deemed appropriate. Take the first step toward improving your mental health in a stigma-free environment and receive personalized care from the comfort of your home.
FAQ
How to get prescribed antidepressants?
Can you get antidepressants without therapy?
What can I do in addition to taking medication?
Common lifestyle recommendations for depression and anxiety that supplement medication management include mindfulness practices, a balanced diet, proper
