| Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition with effects on multiple receptor systems and sodium conductance. |
| (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine) |
| Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorsb |
| (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluxamine) |
| Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitorsb |
| (e.g., desiptamine, maprotiline) |
| Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors |
| (e.g., venlafaxine) |
| Serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor blockade with serotonin reuptake inhibition |
| (e.g., nefazodone)c |
| Serotonin (5-HT2A and 2C) receptor blockade with norepinephrine (alpha-2) receptor blockade |
| (e.g., mirtazipine)c |
| Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition |
| (e.g., bupropion) |
| Monoamine oxidase inhibitors |
| (e.g., tranycypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid)d |
a Although the pathophysiology of depression remains unclear, drugs are classified by prominent mechanism(s) of action believed to mediate antidepressant efficacy.
b The selectivity may be obscured at doses higher than those recommended for routine treatment of depression.
c Both nefazodone and mirazipine have additional non-antidepressant mechanisms of action which are engaged at concentrations that occur under clinically relevant dosing guidelines.
d Only irreversible/nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are marketed in the United States, but reversible/selective MAOIs are marketed elsewhere in the world and are in development.
published 2000