Patients who are in the budding stage of depression are usually recommended Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) by the doctor. These medicines come in the form of Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and Citalopram (Celexa) but are known to cause side-effects. These side-effects result in nausea, anxiety, insomnia, decreased sexual drives and may occur naturally or when the SSRIs are taken along with other medicines or herbs that work with serotonin. The latter will produce much serious side-effects such as high fever, muscle pain and cardiac, liver or kidney malfunctions.

Tricyclics are an old form of medication for depression that’s been around for many years but is known to induce serious and strong side-effects which is why it is often kept in option as last resort. These drugs affect norepinephrine and serotonin and often show progress in many patients. However side-effects come about in the form of constipation, decreased sexual libido, blurred vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and bladder and heart problems.

MAOI’s or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors often used as treatment for serious conditions of depression and panic illnesses. However food habits have to be changed along with the intake of MAOIs and things which contain high levels of monoamine tyramine, such as fish, chocolate, alcohol, cheese, refined meat should be avoided in order to lessen the risk of a heart stroke.