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Effective pills for depression: list and reviews

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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The life of a modern person, especially if he takes an active position in society, is full of troubles, and there are enough reasons for stress. Such situations can become an impetus for various kinds of psychogenic diseases. To avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to take pills for depression.

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Indications depression pills

Depression pills are prescribed when symptoms of stress and depression appear. Namely, if the patient has increased irritability, high anxiety, increased experiences, which ultimately cause panic fear. In a state of reactive depression, a person has a constantly low mood, he has lost the ability to empathize with his loved ones (anhedonia), his thinking is impaired, he does not show initiative, he is passive. He is negatively disposed in any situation, and is sure that any business he starts is doomed to failure. If such manifestations of depression are present, you should immediately contact a medical institution, otherwise they can drag on and worsen a person's quality of life, cause serious diseases and even be fatal.

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Pharmacodynamics

Each group of drugs has its own mechanism of action.

Pharmacodynamics of tranquilizers: the patient becomes less conflicted, his internal tension decreases, fear, anxiety, anger pass, he stops panicking. The person is no longer as irritable as before, the level of mental excitability decreases, concentration of attention improves and thought processes pass faster. Sleep becomes better and longer.
Neuroleptics cause the desire to work, the disappearance of hallucinations. They have an antiemetic, anti-hiccup, anticonvulsant and hypothetical effect.

Sedatives cause a decrease in irritability and impulsivity of the patient. After their use, emotional stress decreases, the patient falls asleep better.

Antidepressants significantly improve the patient's mood, activate psychomotor skills (vigor, initiative, increased efficiency). Depression pills have a psychosedative effect: the feeling of constant anxiety, fear and worry goes away, mental discomfort disappears).

Psychostimulants reduce drowsiness, increase performance and physical endurance. After using psychostimulants, blood vessels constrict, blood pressure increases, glycogenolysis in the liver and lipolysis in fatty tissues increase. They can also provoke anorexia.

Nootropics activate the brain, inhibition of mental reactions and apathy pass. The patient becomes less emotionally excitable and irritable. The process of memorization improves. Depression passes. The brain becomes more resistant to stress factors. The process of personality degradation stops during the intake of antiepileptic drugs.

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Pharmacokinetics

Taking antidepressant pills orally results in their rapid absorption and distribution in the body tissues. Almost 50% of the dose received is excreted from the body within two days in the urine. The remaining part interacts with blood proteins and is eliminated after two weeks. For antidepressants, the speed of excretion from the body is an important criterion, since it determines the dosage of the drug, and also determines the likelihood of overdose and poisoning with its components. It is important to remember this parameter, since people with depression use medications in an attempt to commit suicide. The amount of antidepressants in the plasma of patients may vary. The variability is due to the individual characteristics of the person's conversion of the drug in the liver. Metabolism is affected by a number of factors: genetic determination of the activity of cytochromes P 450, liver function, characteristics of the drug used, and the patient's age. In elderly people, metabolism is slowed down, so side effects appear faster in them. In children, on the contrary, the conversion processes are accelerated, so their dosage is sometimes even increased. It should be taken into account that the content of antidepressants in the blood plasma can change the characteristics of other drugs.

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Dosing and administration

Pills for stress and depression

Medication is recognized as the best method for eliminating mental disorders. Depression pills will get rid of the problem in a short time and for a long time. There are several types of psychotropic drugs. Each of them has its own area of action and is prescribed exclusively by the attending physician.

  • Neuroleptics. The most powerful antipsychotic drugs. They are prescribed for severe mental disorders. They affect the part of the brain responsible for inadequate reactions of the nervous system, depriving the patient of emotions, as well as the ability to think rationally and perceive information.
  • Antidepressants. A group of medications that are used for depression and also neutralize the factors that provoke its occurrence. Drugs for depression of this type are safe, they help to normalize the general emotional state and prevent the situation from worsening.
  • Tranquilizers. They are characterized as a powerful psychotropic drug, similar in its action to neuroleptics. But it is used much more often, and in the event that antidepressants have not had the desired effect. Tranquilizers help to get rid of the feeling of anxiety, panic and internal tension, reduce the level of aggression.
  • Nootropics. These are pills for stress and depression that, by affecting areas of the brain, eliminate the feeling of fatigue, improve blood circulation in the brain, and increase performance.
  • Sedatives. This is a group of drugs with a calming effect. They are used to normalize sleep, eliminate nervous tension, reduce anxiety and excitability. Thanks to them, the patient's body reacts less to stressful situations, and the nervous system is normal.

Psychotropic drugs of any type are prescribed by a qualified specialist in this field (neurologist, psychiatrist), who will monitor the patient's condition.

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Pills for irritability and depression

Drug treatment of depression and irritability is prescribed only by a specialist. The list of drugs will include antidepressants that will improve mood, reduce irritability and nervousness. A positive result will be achieved with the correct selection of treatment methods.

The most effective, therefore the most popular, are drugs such as "Nota", "Adaptol" and "Novo-Passit". They are also used as pills for depression. "Nota" is used to reduce psycho-emotional stress. With the help of the drug, the patient will be able to reduce the degree of irritability, get rid of fear and unreasonable anxiety, relieve fatigue and, as a result, normalize sleep. It has no special restrictions, so it is prescribed even to children. "Adaptol" will also help to cope with irritability. It will reduce the level of anxiety and tension. At the same time, its effect does not affect a person's performance. "Novo-Passit" is recommended for those people who are prone to irritability and are in a state of anxiety. Despite its effectiveness, the drug has a number of side effects (weakness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, dizziness), so its use should be under the supervision of a doctor.

Names of pills for depression

When a person constantly experiences stressful situations, they can cause many diseases. Therefore, depression pills will be the best way out of this situation.

  • Tenon
  • Quattrex
  • Afobazol
  • Aminazine
  • Levomepromazine
  • Flupentixon
  • Tenoten
  • Eskitalopram
  • Lerivon
  • Lorazepam
  • Phenazepam
  • Alprazolam
  • Stress Management
  • Moclobemide
  • Befol
  • Toloxatone
  • Pyrazidol
  • Imipramine
  • Amitriptyline
  • Anafranil
  • Pertofan
  • Trimipramine
  • Azafen
  • Mianserin
  • Fluoxetine
  • Fevarin
  • Citalopram
  • Sertraline
  • Paroxetine
  • Cymbalta
  • Ephevelon
  • Eglek
  • Cipramil
  • Frotin
  • Cerebril
  • Phenotropil
  • Tryptisol
  • Tegretol
  • Sulpiride
  • Stamin
  • Relanium
  • Remeron
  • Pleased
  • Persen
  • Noben
  • Mexidol
  • Xanax
  • Lucetam
  • Demanol,
  • Glycine
  • Heptral
  • Valdoxan
  • Alprazolam.

Any antidepressant will not cause addiction if you stick to the indicated dosage, which is calculated for a specific clinical case.

St. John's Wort Tablets

St. John's wort tablets are used to treat depression. This remedy belongs to the group of herbal preparations, as it is based on a dry extract of St. John's wort herb. It has an antidepressant and anti-anxiety effect. The drug is prescribed for psychovegetative disorders, namely apathy and bad mood; for a depressive state, which is accompanied by increased anxiety; in the presence of a neurotic state.

St. John's wort tablets relieve irritability, nervous tension, and eliminate the feeling of fear. After their use, apathy and depression pass. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system as a whole. The patient's sleep improves and physical activity increases. St. John's wort tablets are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for children under 12 years of age, if there is severe endogenous depression, photodermatitis and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets three times a day. The course of treatment is from 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on the severity and effectiveness of the drug.

Side effects: nausea, bloating and abdominal pain, dry mouth, loose stools or constipation, itching, small rash, headache, feeling of fatigue. These depression pills should only be used after consulting a doctor.

Fluoxetine

The drug Fluoxetine belongs to the group of antidepressants. It is prescribed for the treatment of such mental illnesses as depression, obsessive states, which are accompanied by increased anxiety and fear, sleep disorders, eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia). Systematic use reduces the level of these manifestations, has a positive effect on the patient's mood, improves sleep and appetite. The daily dose of Fluoxetine is 2 - 3 capsules.

The duration of use is from one month to six months, depending on the clinical picture of the disease and the results of treatment.

Side effects: tremor, psychomotor agitation, drowsiness, impaired attention and coordination, fever, hypotension, frequent urination, gynecological bleeding, impaired ejaculation, increased sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, itching.

Contraindications: renal failure, liver problems, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, pregnancy and lactation, glaucoma, atony of the bladder, suicidal tendencies, age under 18 years.

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Method of administration and dosage of pills for depression

Depression pills are taken orally. The dosage of each drug depends on the patient's diagnosis and severity. It is worth noting that there are no antidepressants with an instant effect. To achieve the result, they must be used for at least seven days. Starting with a small dose, gradually increasing the volume. When the disease is cured, the dose is reduced until the drug is completely discontinued. If the effect does not occur after a month, then the depression pills must be replaced with others. For example, Nialamide, start with a daily dose of 2 tablets and bring to 14; Inkazan - at the beginning of treatment, 1-2 tablets twice with a break of 12 hours, then 10 tablets; Desimipramine - 1 tablet 2-3 times a day, gradually increasing to 8 tablets.

Use depression pills during pregnancy

The issue of taking pills for depression during pregnancy is very relevant. As practice has shown, some drugs do not pose a threat to the future child, while others, on the contrary, are more dangerous for the fetus. But experts say that it is impossible to completely refuse to take antidepressants. If a woman is depressed during pregnancy, then she endangers not only herself, but also the unborn baby. A mental imbalance can provoke postpartum depression, so taking the appropriate drugs is simply necessary.

It is necessary to be especially careful in choosing treatment in the first trimester, as there is a high risk of congenital anomalies of the fetus. Therefore, for the expectant mother, the best option would be selective inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, the consequences of which will be less deplorable. They can only provoke a headache, diarrhea, and lead to a decrease in libido. Since depression pills are addictive, then, a few weeks before childbirth, a woman should stop taking antidepressants so that such an addiction is not inherited by the child. During this important period, it is permissible to take such drugs as Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Bupropion. The entire period of taking the drug should be supervised by a doctor. To calm the nerves and get rid of depression without harm to the unborn child, it is better to resort to herbal medicine. The safest way is herbal tea, which may contain St. John's wort, motherwort, hawthorn berries, sage, valerian root, savory. Consult a herbalist and he will definitely recommend an effective decoction.

Expectant mothers should be extremely careful about taking any medications, so that their children do not become another example of the "Thalidomide disaster". It became the most striking example in medicine, when taking the untested drug "Tiladomide" during pregnancy caused the birth of children with deformities. It is best to first cure depression, and then think about continuing the family line.

Contraindications

Antidepressant pills have a number of restrictions in use. They are not prescribed if there is a circulatory disorder, kidney and/or liver pathologies, seizures, psychomotor excitability, thyrotoxicosis, or an allergic reaction to the components of the drug. Antidepressants are not recommended for pregnant women, patients with persistent arterial hypotension, or in acute cases of confusion. TCAs and heterocyclic drugs are not prescribed to patients with gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, pyloric stenosis, conduction disorders of the heart muscle, during the recovery period after myocardial infarction, grade 3 hypotension, closed glaucoma, decompensated heart disease, intestinal obstruction, bladder atony, or prostatic hypertrophy. Antidepressants are prohibited for children under twelve years of age.

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Side effects depression pills

Side effects of antidepressant drugs include sinus tachycardia, hypotension, arrhythmia, disruption of intracardiac conduction, and suppression of bone marrow functionality. Depression pills can cause dry mouth, intestinal hypotension, and urinary retention. Side effects also include decreased appetite and weight gain, headaches and insomnia, and disruption of the cardiovascular system.

Side effects of neuroleptics include lethargy, apathy, inhibited reactions, drowsiness, and the development of a collapse-like state.

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Overdose

An overdose of antidepressants can be accidental or intentional. In the first case, it is caused by the toxic effect of the drug on the central nervous system, which depresses the brain's performance, as a result of which the patient can constantly be in a sleepy state. There is a high risk that a person can slip into a coma without being noticed. Signs of an overdose will appear after half an hour, the full picture will appear within six hours.

Depression pills are often used for suicide. Therefore, a patient prone to such actions should be strictly supervised during medication intake and have limited access to them. The first sign of an overdose is tachycardia. Dizziness, nausea, sweating, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness, and lethargy appear. Therapeutic actions in such cases are aimed at maintaining the body's vital functions. The drug should be removed from the body, but emetics should not be used. Give activated charcoal in a ratio of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight and a laxative. Be sure to call an ambulance.

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Interactions with other drugs

Tricyclic antidepressants interact with drugs from the group of neuroleptics, as well as tranquilizers, with narcotic analgesics, they enhance their calming effect on the central nervous system, with anticonvulsant drugs - they weaken their effect on the patient's body; with sleeping pills - they enhance the depression of the central nervous system; with psychostimulants - they enhance their effect; with diuretics - they lead to drowsiness, lethargy, cause vomiting, contribute to the development of anorexia.

Neuroleptics enhance the effects of tranquilizers, sleeping pills, anesthesia, muscle relaxants, narcotic analgesics and antihistamines.

Irreversible and reversible MAO inhibitors interact with narcotic analgesics - cause hypotension, convulsions, comatose states; with hypothetical drugs - cause a contradictory effect with an increase in blood pressure; with oral contraceptives - increase the hepatotoxicity of contraceptives. The doctor, prescribing pills for depression, should indicate compatibility with other drugs.

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Storage conditions

Depression pills do not require special storage conditions. The main thing is that they are kept in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight. The air temperature should not exceed + 25 degrees. The main precaution is to keep them out of reach of children.

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Shelf life

Depression pills are good for use for five years. It is better not to use the drug after the expiration date.

Is it possible to get rid of depression without pills?

You can improve your mental balance without taking depression pills. There are four natural ways to do this:

  • "brain shift". You will engage in the development of logical thinking, which will reduce the active production of neurons in the subcortex and increase it in the neocortex, which will restore the chemical balance that provoked the disease.
  • fatty acids. Their deficiency causes depression, to prevent its development include fish or vitamin complexes with omega-3 in your diet.
  • physical activity. Physical work affects the production of serotonin, which affects the brain's performance. Its low level will cause depression.
  • sleep. Sleep disturbance will lead to mental imbalance. Having a good night's sleep, you will feel much better.

Find something you enjoy doing and there will be no room for depression in your life.

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Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Effective pills for depression: list and reviews" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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