Depression is a painful condition that affects millions of individuals in United States every year. This condition is characterized by consistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair. Individuals suffering from depression do not find joy in activities that used to be pleasurable at one point of time. Depression may cause weight gain or loss along with insomnia or excessive sleeping in individuals. Depression medication can help in providing relief from the symptoms of this condition.

The depression medication works by improving the levels of certain brain chemicals and their availability. These brain chemicals are called neurotransmitters and they help in improving the emotions. Antidepressants are prescribed for the treatment of this condition and some of the major antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants are among the first line of antidepressants that were used to treat this condition. These antidepressants affect levels of two neurotransmitters which include serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are effective in treating depression but also result in numerous side effects.

The common tricyclic depression medication includes adapin, tofranil, elavil, anafranil, norpramin, pamelor and sinequan among others. The side effects of these drugs include dry mouth, increased fatigue along with sleepiness, blurred vision, constipation, urine retention, drowsiness and sexual problems among others.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are also prescribed as a part of depression medication and these are typically used with people who do not show much response to other drugs. Certain food items like cheese can interact with these drugs as can wine and so those taking these medications should follow certain dietary restrictions. Parnate, marplan and nardil are some of the monoamine oxidase inhibitors and these works by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain.

Some other depression medication or drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These medicines alter the levels of serotonin in the brain. Common drugs in this family include celexa, luvox, paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and lexapro. These side effects of these drugs include sexual issues like low sex drive, dizziness, headache, nausea and feeling jittery.

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are also a new form of depression medication that treats this condition by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine brain chemicals. Effexor, cymbalta and remeron are the drugs that are typically used to treat this condition. The side effects of these drugs include blurred vision, light headedness, drowsiness, constipation, headache and changes in appetite. Cymbalta can result in higher blood pressure and increased sweating.

Other depression medication that increases the norepinephrine and the dopamine levels in the brain include wellbutrin. However this drug also results in decreased appetite, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth as well as dizziness. Wellbutrin does not cause problems like sexual issues or weight gain. While taking antidepressants it is important that the person avoids drinking alcoholic beverages.

The medication needs to be taken for a certain period of time before the complete therapeutic effects can be observed. Many patients are tempted to stop the medication as they may think they feel better. Stopping the medication abruptly does more harm than good.