FDA Office of Women’s Health 

www.fda.gov/womens

Do you feel depressed? Do not feel 

ashamed or alone. Women are more 

likely than men to feel depressed, 

although it is a major problem for 

both sexes.

There is hope.

Depression can be treated with 

medicine or counseling. Sometimes 

both are used. Talk to your healthcare 

provider to find out what will work 

best for you.

Depression

Medicines

Use this guide to help you talk to your 

healthcare provider about medicines called 

antidepressants that can help treat depression. 

The guide lists FDA-approved products that are 

available to treat this condition. You will also 

find some general information to help you use 

your medicine wisely.

Ask your healthcare provider to tell you about 

the risks of taking this type of medicine. This 

guide only covers some of the risks. Also, it is 

important to tell your healthcare provider about 

any medicine that you are taking.

Signs of Depression

Everyone feels sad at times. People with 

depression feel sad most days. These feelings can 

get in the way of everyday life.

If you are depressed, you may: 

 Feel sad

 Feel tired all the time

 Sleep too little or all the time

 Cry a lot

 Lose interest in eating

 Eat too much

 Have trouble paying attention

 Feel nervous or cranky

 Think about death or trying to kill yourself

 Notice that things that used to make you happy 

 do not make you happy anymore

Talk to your healthcare provider about your 

feelings if you have noticed these signs for at 

least 2 weeks or immediately if you have any 

dangerous thoughts or behaviors. Only your 

healthcare provider or counselor can tell you if 

you have depression.
Depression and Pregnancy

Some women become depressed when they are pregnant or after they give birth. Other women notice 

that their depression gets worse during pregnancy. 

No one knows the exact cause of depression during or after pregnancy. It may have something to do 

with: 

 Stress and sleep problems 

 Hormones — after a woman has a baby, her hormone levels drop quickly 

 Having depression before you get pregnant

 Lack of support from family and friends 

 Young age — the younger you are when you have your baby the more likely you are to become 

depressed

Women should talk to their healthcare provider about the risks of taking antidepressants during 

pregnancy and after the baby’s birth.

Depression can make it hard for a woman to take care of herself and her baby. It is important to talk to 

your healthcare provider about your feelings. Also, try to get some help from your family, friends, or a 

support group. 

 Ask a relative to watch your baby for a few hours. 

 Join a group for new mothers. 

 Ask a friend to cook a meal for your family or to help with chores.

“The Baby Blues”

Having a baby can be a joyful time. However, some women cry a lot and feel sad right after they 

have a baby. This is called “the baby blues.” These feelings usually go away after about two 

weeks. 

If you still feel sad after two weeks, go to your healthcare provider or clinic. You may be 

depressed. This type of depression is called postpartum depression because it starts after a 

woman has a baby. A woman can have this kind of depression up to one year after she has a 

baby.

1
Medicine for Depression

There are different kinds of medicine for depression. 

 Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

 Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

 Tricyclic and Tetracyclic Antidepressants 

 Atypical Antidepressants 

 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

 N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) Antagonist 

 Neuroactive Steroid Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)-A Receptor Positive Modulator

Read the information on the next few pages to find out some general facts about the different kinds of 

medicine for depression.

Like all drugs, depression medicine may cause side effects. Do not stop taking your medicine 

without first talking to your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider about any problems 

you are having, including thoughts about suicide. Your healthcare provider will help you find the 

medicine that is best for you. 

Tell your healthcare provider about any medicine that you are taking. Do not forget about 

cold medicines, supplements, and herbals like St. John’s Wort. Some of these can interact with 

antidepressants and cause unwanted side effects. 

2
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

 What medicine am I taking?

 What are the potential side effects?

 What other prescription medicine should I avoid while taking medicine for depression?

 What foods, herbs (like St. John’s Wort), or over-the-counter medicine should I avoid?

 When should I take each medicine? How many times per day do I take each medicine?

 Can I take my medicine if I am pregnant or nursing?

3
BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

 Celexa citalopram

 Lexapro escitalopram

 Paxil

Paxil CR

Pexeva

paroxetine

 Prozac

 Prozac Weekly fluoxetine

 Trintellix vortioxetine

 Viibryd vilazodone

 Zoloft sertraline

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Warnings

Do not take with these medicines: MAOIs, and in some cases thioridazine or Orap (pimozide).

Women should talk to their healthcare providers about the risks of taking these medicines during 

pregnancy. 

Use with caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Common Side Effects

 Nausea

 Tremor (shaking) 

 Nervousness 

 Problems sleeping 

 Sexual problems

 Sweating

 Agitation

 Feeling tired

4 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

 Seizures 

 Abnormal bleeding or bruising

 Withdrawal symptoms

Ask your healthcare provider about serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

Cymbalta duloxetine

Effexor

Effexor XR venlafaxine

Fetzima levomilnacipran

Pristiq

Khedezla desvenlafaxine

Warnings

 Do not take with MAOIs. 

 Use with care if you have liver or kidney problems.

 Use with caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Common Side Effects

 Nausea

 Vomiting

 Dry mouth

 Constipation 

 Fatigue 

 Feeling drowsy

 Dizziness

 Sweating

 Sexual problems

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

 Increase in blood pressure

 Abnormal bleeding or bruising

 Seizures

Ask your healthcare provider about serotonin syndrome.

5 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.
Tricyclic and Tetracyclic Antidepressants

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

Asendin amoxapine

Elavil amitriptyline

Ludiomil maprotiline*

Norpramin desipramine

Pamelor nortriptyline

Sinequan doxepin

Surmontil trimipramine

Tofranil imipramine

Vivactil protriptyline

Warnings

 Do not take with MAOIs. 

 Use with caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Common Side Effects

 Dry mouth 

 Constipation

 Blurred vision

 Drowsiness 

 Low blood pressure

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

 Problems urinating 

 Confusion

 Fainting 

 Seizures 

 Life-threatening irregular heartbeat

*This is a tetracyclic. The others listed are tricyclic.

6 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.
Atypical Antidepressants

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

 Desyrel trazodone

 Serzone nefazodone

Warnings

Do not take these medicines if you are also taking MAOIs and, for nefazodone, if you are taking 

triazolam, alprazolam, pimozide, or carbamazepine. 

Cases of life-threatening liver failure have been reported in patients taking nefazodone. Patients 

should be advised to be alert for signs and symptoms of liver dysfunction (jaundice, anorexia, 

gastrointestinal complaints, malaise, etc.) and to report them to their healthcare provider 

immediately if they occur.

Use caution if you drink alcohol or take barbiturates while taking this medicine.

Common Side Effects

 Dry mouth 

 Dizziness 

 Blurred vision 

 Feeling drowsy or sleepy

 Constipation

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

 Painful erection that lasts a long time 

 Low blood pressure 

 Fainting

 Confusion

 Liver failure

7 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.
Atypical Antidepressants

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

 Remeron mirtazapine

Warnings

 Do not take with MAOIs.

 Use caution if you have a personal history or family history of heart disease or irregular heart rhythm.

Common Side Effects

 Feeling drowsy or sleepy 

 Weight gain

 Dizziness

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

 Agranulocytosis (drop in white blood cell count) 

 Increase in cholesterol

 Increase in liver enzymes

Ask your healthcare provider about serotonin syndrome.

8 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.
Atypical Antidepressants

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

 Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin SR

 Wellbutrin XL

 bupropion

Warnings

 Use caution if you drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

 Use caution if you take levodopa. 

 Use caution if you have seizures or take medicines that raise your chance of having a seizure.

Common Side Effects

 Dizziness

 Constipation

 Nausea

 Vomiting

 Blurred vision

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

 Seizures

 Blood pressure changes

9 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

Emsam

(skin patch) selegiline

Marplan isocarboxazid

Nardil phenelzine

Parnate tranylcypromine

Warnings

Do not take MAOIs if you are also taking other medicines for depression or central nervous system 

stimulants or depressants. 

Do not eat certain foods like cheese, wine, protein foods that have been aged, or any food 

containing tyramine. 

Do not take cold pills or decongestants.

Common Side Effects

 Nausea

 Restlessness 

 Problems sleeping 

 Dizziness 

 Drowsiness

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

 Headache

 Stroke

 Fainting

 Heart palpitations 

 Blood pressure changes

10 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.
N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) Antagonist 

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

 Spravato

 (nasal spray) esketamine

Important Information

Esketamine must be taken with an oral antidepressant.

Esketamine should be used only in patients who have tried other depression medicines that did not 

work for them.

Patients may experience sedation (tiredness) and dissociation (difficulty with attention, judgment, 

and thinking) after administration. 

Because of these risks, esketamine is available only through a restricted program, called the 

Spravato REMS.

Esketamine is a nasal spray that must be administered in a healthcare setting that is certified in the 

REMS program where the healthcare provider can monitor the patient for sedation and dissociation 

for two hours after each dose.

Warnings

Risk for temporary sedation (tiredness) and dissociation (difficulty with attention, judgment, and 

thinking) after administration. 

Esketamine is a federal controlled substance and has the potential to be misused and abused.

May cause temporary difficulty with attention, judgment, thinking, reaction speed, and motor skills.

Do not drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful sleep.

May harm an unborn baby. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider about the risks of taking 

this medicine during pregnancy.

Common Side Effects

Dissociation (difficulty with 

attention, judgment, and 

thinking)

Dizziness

Nausea

Sleepiness

Spinning sensation

Decreased feeling 

or sensitivity

Anxiety

Less Common, but Serious, 

Side Effects

Increase in blood pressure

For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/. 11
Neuroactive Steroid Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)-A 

Receptor Positive Modulator

BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME

 Zulresso

 (This medicine is given as an intravenous infusion) brexanolone

Important Information

Brexanolone is approved for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adults.

Brexanolone is given by continuous intravenous (IV) infusion over a total of 60 hours. 

Patients may experience excessive tiredness or sudden loss of consciousness or changes in their 

state of consciousness while brexanolone is being given. 

Because of these risks, brexanolone is available only through a restricted program called the Zulresso 

REMS. It can only be administered in a healthcare facility that is certified in the Zulresso REMS. 

Patients must be monitored while brexanolone is being given and report any signs and symptoms of 

excessive tiredness to a healthcare provider.

Before starting brexanolone, tell your healthcare provider if you may be pregnant.

Warnings

Risk for sedation (tiredness) and sudden loss of consciousness.

Brexanolone is a federal controlled substance and has the potential to be misused and abused. 

Taking brexanolone with opioids or certain other medicines called CNS depressants may increase 

the risks of tiredness or sudden loss of consciousness.

Risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Brexanolone can be abused or lead to dependence.

Common Side Effects

Sedation (tiredness)

Dry mouth

Loss of consciousness

Flushing

Less Common, but Serious, Side Effects

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/. 12
Depression and Your Children

Like adults, children and teens can also feel depressed. You should watch your children for signs of 

depression. Talk to your children if you notice changes in their behavior. Talk to your child’s healthcare 

provider if you are still concerned.

Prozac (fluoxetine) is the only medicine that is approved by FDA for use in children with depression. 

Prozac (fluoxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are the only FDA-approved medicines for teens with 

depression. Talk to your healthcare provider about important warnings for children and teens who take 

medicine for depression.

Important Warnings

Some children and teens who take antidepressants may be more likely to think about hurting 

or killing themselves when starting treatment or when dose is changed.

Call a healthcare provider or 911 if the person:

 Tries to hurt or kill himself/herself

 Talks about specific ways he/she plans to hurt or kill himself/herself

 Talks about or tries to harm others

Call your healthcare provider right away if the person shows any of these signs:

 Talks about dying or suicide

 Starts acting very differently

 Is abnormally active

 Has severe problems sleeping

 Becomes violent or abnormally angry

 Becomes agitated or can’t sit still

13 For up-to-date information about the risks and side effects for each drug, 

check www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/.
Sign Up For A Pregnancy Registry

14

Pregnancy Exposure Registries are research 

studies that collect information from women who 

take prescription medicines or vaccines during 

pregnancy.

Pregnancy registries can help women and 

their doctors learn more about how depression 

medicines affect women during pregnancy.

The FDA does not run pregnancy studies, but it 

keeps a list of registries. Check to see if there is 

a registry for your depression medicine or other 

medicines at: www.fda.gov/pregnancyregistries.
To get other women’s health materials, go to: www.fda.gov/womens

This booklet was developed by the FDA Office of Women’s Health. 

This booklet should not be used in place of talking to your healthcare provider 

or reading the label for your medicine. The drug and risk information may change. 

Check the FDA website for the latest facts for each product listed in this booklet: 

www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/

SEPTEMBER 2019

To Learn More: 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 

www.nimh.nih.gov 

Phone: 1-866-615-6464 TTY/TDD: 1-866-415-8051