Treating symptoms in depression

Pharmacological

treatments

15 Nov, 2021 Read Time: 1 min

Pharmacological treatments

Six classes of antidepressant treatments are available for depression therapy, and all affect the concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitters either within the neuron or in the synaptic cleft.  However, each class also offers differences in efficacy, tolerability, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

The table below provides an overview of the different classes of antidepressant treatments, presented in chronological order of introduction to the clinic:

Treatments

 

Detailed treatment guidelines for depression can be viewed at the links below:

NICE Clinical Guidance (CG90)

APA Practice Guidelines

British Association for Psychopharmacology evidence-based guidelines

CANMAT Clinical Guidelines

References

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  4. The treatment and management of depression in adults, NICE clinical guideline 90. 2009.
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