Top Rated Antidepressants of 2023, Which One Is Best for You

Life throws you curveballs, and often, these trials take their toll on you. You can’t eat, sleep, smile, or even normally function.

You just want to be alone and one by one, you see things in a negative light. Things turn darker.

It could be depression. What should you do? It may be time for you to admit that you need help.

People are in constant search of help, especially when it comes to coping with anxiety.

The different brands of antidepressants give you components that help your body adjust to the drastic changes you’re going through.

While there is a variety of products to choose from, you deserve the ones that have been proven to work.

Before you get the first brand, you find, know what the best-sellers are. Let’s get into these later, but before you learn more about these medicines, you should also know more about how these medicines work.

Understand why you go through depression, why it’s okay to admit that you need help, and how these products can help you.

Top Antidepressants

#1 Brintellix

This is an immediate-release tablet for oral administration. It contains the beta polymorph of vortioxetine hydrobromide, an antidepressant. The drug is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and H. Lundbeck. It looks like a white component in powder form that is soluble in water.

It works through two mechanisms of action – One is the receptor activity modulation and the other is reuptake inhibition. Some of the inactive ingredients include magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, and film coating which consists of hypromellose, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, and polyethylene glycol.

It’s an FDA-approved drug that’s known to treat severe depression. Studies show that those who have taken Brintellix are less likely to suffer from depression once more and is proven to be effective in reducing major depressive disorder in cases where even the first-line drugs had failed.

This serotonin inhibitor comes in different dosages, and the prices are still under approval. Hence, the drug is still not available in generic form and is relatively a newbie in the market. The drug looks promising and effective and is looking to produce some good results. Some of the possible side-effects include a headache, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.

Click here to read in-detail review.

#2 Abilify

Abilify, aripiprazole, is more of an antipsychotic medication than an antidepressant. But it has been proven to have antidepressant properties and is used to treat depression as well. It is designed to readjust the actions of chemicals found in the brain.

It is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and aggression, mood swings, temper tantrums, irritability, self-injury, and other major depressive problems in adults. It is also approved as complementary medicine to treat depression in addition to antidepressants or if they don’t perform well in certain patients.

It works by making the dopamine receptors work properly instead of shutting them down, as some antidepressants do. The drug was developed in Otsuka, Japan by a pharmaceutical company and marketed jointly by Otsuka America and Bristol-Meyers Squibb. The health insurance often covers the drug, but without it, the bottle costs around $250.

It is one of the most popular medications for depression in the United States. Some people have experienced side-effects such as weakness, nausea, constipation, headache, insomnia, etc. But these side-effects are temporary during the treatment and do not seem to cause any permanent damage.

Click here to read in-detail review.

#3 Zanaprin

Zanaprin is manufactured by a company called Lazarus Labs which is a fairly well-known company in the supplement industry. Lazarus Labs manufactures a wide variety of natural supplements, with Zanaprin being a particularly popular product from this company.

The product was designed to help with social anxiety, stress, insomnia, panic attacks and it is said to increase mental alertness and cognitive functioning. This makes Zanaprin an all-in-one solution for individuals who experiences problems with their mental wellbeing.

This product contains only natural ingredients, making it a safer solution than some of the pharmaceutical options that are available to individuals suffering from the symptoms that the supplement claims to treat.

The main ingredient in this product is phenibut (beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid) whose mechanisms are similar to GABA, meaning that it works by calming the central nervous system.

Even though many of the ingredients have shown promising results in clinical trials, it should be noted that the product may not work for everyone – a number of unsatisfied customer testimonials can be found on product listings where Zanaprin is sold on the internet.

There are, however, some positive reviews that claim the product is effective in providing the particular benefits claimed by the manufacturer. Thus, those suffering from mild anxiety and depression could benefit from this unique treatment.

Click here to read in-detail review

#4 Symetrin

Symetrin is a natural anti-depressant that is primarily being promoted as a mood enhancer. The product is mainly promoted to a female audience. The manufacturer of Symetrin claims that the product will not only help to provide the female user with a significant boost in their mood but also help to reduce the mental symptoms that come during PMS and menopause.

The product contains patented formulas that were clinically tested for their safety and efficiency, namely Sensoril and Libefem. Sensoril contains the herb Ashwagandha that a clinical study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine^[5] found to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety.

Libifem is a specialized extract of the Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract herb that a clinical trial published in Phytotherapy^[6] Research found improved hormonal balance in women and also increased libido and sexual functioning.

Symetrin also contains two other ingredients, vitamin B6 and vitamin D which are two of the most important vitamins for normal mood regulation and nervous system functioning.

Symetrin comes with a 30-day free trial and no side-effects have been associated with this natural antidepressant. The product does not contain any ingredients that may cause addiction and this is one of the few supplements on the market that holds scientific evidence to back up the claims made about the product.

Click here to read in-detail review

Antidepressants Stats

The percentage of Americans taking antidepressants has nearly doubled between 1999 and 2012 according to a report published in Journal of the American Medical Association^[1] (JAMA).

What this means is that more and more people are likely to try alternative remedies for their depression.

And while antidepressants do help mitigate depression, they do come with their own set of side effects and risks.

Antidepressants reduce the number of blood platelets which increases a person’s risk of internal bleeding.

Furthermore, when taking drugs or even herbs that increase serotonin levels, antidepressant use may lead to serotonin syndrome which is a potentially fatal condition.

For all these reasons, many depression sufferers are looking for other ways to fight depression and a potentially safe and effective way is by using antidepressants.

What Are The Top 5 Antidepressants

Antidepressants treat moderate to severe depression. Although these don’t cure depression itself, it helps stave off the symptoms so that you can better cope with the emotions within you^[1].

The five well-known, FDA-approved SSRIs to treat depression are:

1. Citalopram (Celexa)
2. Escitalopram (Lexapro)
3. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
4. Paroxetine (Paxil)
5. Sertraline (Zoloft)

How are you able to get over the so-called funk you feel when you lack sleep or when you start to panic for no apparent reason.
The depression aid you’re taking can range from any of the following:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

More commonly prescribed antidepressants in this category include trazodone, mirtazapine (Remeron), vortioxetine (Trintellix), vilazodone (Viibryd) and bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, others). Bupropion is one of the few antidepressants not frequently associated with sexual side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants.

There are those that have taken the alternative approach and have opted for drugs that don’t require a doctor’s prescription.

While there are still questions and debates surrounding these options, there are those who swear by them.

The list of possible approaches includes psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, acupuncture, sleep therapy exercise, and bright light exposure.

Whatever the case may be, an antidepressant works on your mental health.

Though some may come with side effects, doctors urge that you take these under close supervision so that the medical professional can take immediate steps when needed.

How Do Antidepressants Work?

As already explained, antidepressants work mainly by boosting the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.

Depression is considered, among other things, to be a result of chemical imbalances in the brain with low serotonin being the main culprit.

Although this theory no longer holds water, antidepressants paradoxically are able to mitigate the symptoms of depression which can help a person cope and recover more easily.

Studies show that antidepressants are effective in moderate and severe cases of depression^[3], but not in milder cases.

Those suffering from mild depression may turn to antidepressants as a way to mitigate the symptoms associated with mood disorders such as panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, low mood, low energy, and body aches.

Note: If you currently take a prescription antidepressant, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medication.

When To See a Doctor?

As stated, antidepressants give your body a boost of specific chemicals that react with the hormones in you.

There are numerous studies surrounding this subject, and the goal of every expert is to find one that comes with the right blend of chemicals.

Some have honed in on the serotonin levels and believe that in order for the product to work, it must bring the levels back to normal.

While the meds can increase or lower serotonin levels^[2] within a matter of hours, it takes weeks before it can truly make a difference and handle depression itself.

Moreover, the kind of drug prescribed will differ from one person to the next. The doctor may give you the medicine based on the following:

• The Type of Depression you are Going Through – If you feel as if you need an energy boost, then the antidepressant prescribed should stimulate your body. It also works the other way around. If, for instance, you’ve been losing sleep, then you might need one that comes with a sedative effect.
• The Side Effects You Need to Consider – Talk to your doctor about your condition and see which brand your body responds to best.
• The Medicine that Works best Based on Your Medical History – This is when you discuss your depression and whether or not it runs in your family. Doctors might even consider what worked best for a relative.
• The Way The Medicine Interacts with Other Drugs – Give a list of medicines you’re currently taking and see to it these don’t disrupt anything.

Myths and facts about anti-depressants

Anti-Depressants – Does it really work well or just a myth? Shutterstock Images

There are certain myths associated with the consumption of anti-depressants that are hugely infamous. Some people believe these baseless facts and avoid treatment altogether making it worse. Let’s see some of those fears and analyze the fact.

Myth: Antidepressants  will only make you forget your worries and won’t help to solve them.

Fact: Antidepressants will neither make you forget things nor will solve your problems. When you are depressed, you perceive your problems in a much bigger way than they actually are.

Antidepressants enhance your ability to think clearly and approach your problems with clarity. It will remove the cloud that is blocking your clear view and help you see things as they are.

This, in turn, helps you to deal with the problems in a much efficient way.

Myth: Antidepressants rob your ability to feel and put you in an emotionless state

Fact: Antidepressants are a way to positively stimulate your mind to resume proper functioning and make you feel yourself again.

There are rare cases of people feeling emotionless but that might be due to high dosage than required or consuming a specific antidepressant.

This can be controlled by reducing the dosage or trying a different one with proper consulting. In most cases, if taken the right quantity, it won’t alter your personality or freeze your emotions.

Myth: Antidepressants make you gain weight

Fact: Every tablet or medication has its own side-effects and so does antidepressants. There are many other medications for various other treatments that cause  weight gain.

To a certain extent, it is true that best antidepressant for energy and motivation and weight loss causes variations in your weight. While some antidepressants make you gain weight, the effect will mostly be temporary. Once you are out of medication, you can always go back to your normal version through  diet and exercise.

Myth: Safest antidepressant for young adults are for lifetime. Once you start, you can’t stop

Fact: For first-timers, once you are on medication in the initial stage, you need to continue the medication for a period of six months to nine months.

Once your situation is under control, you can consult your doctor and stop the medication or gradually decrease the dosage.

The latter is the most advised as getting off of medication abruptly can develop issues like nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

How To Choose the Best and Safest Antidepressant?

You have every right to question the brand that’s recommended to you. See to it that you do make the right kind of investment and consider the following before you shell out cash:

• If users highly recommend it.
• If it comes with a list of pros and cons.
• The ingredients it’s made with.
• The possible side effects.
• The reviews it has garnered.

Natural supplements don’t often require a prescription, but doctors still urge that you seek professional help if you decide to take medicines of such nature.

Do Antidepressants Cause Side-Effects?

Several antidepressants for anxiety have been associated with a risk of experiencing certain side-effects, which is something that people need to take into account when they are considering starting taking this medication to help them improve their state-of-mind.

The safety and possibility of side-effects can be discussed with a professional healthcare provider, and when side-effects do appear, then the user can discuss this with their healthcare provider in order to change their dosage or the type of antidepressant they are using.

According to WebMD^[7], common side-effects that people tend to experience when taking antidepressants include nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, an increase in their appetite, weight gain, insomnia and, in some individuals, a significant reduction in their sex drive.

Conclusion

Antidepressants are types of drugs that research has yet to show have any effect on depression. What we do know is that they do help with severe cases of depression but not with milder ones.

Antidepressants for women usually work through the same mechanisms as do prescription medications -by boosting the levels of serotonin in the brain. But antidepressants have an additional advantage of addressing other issues that may be causing depression besides low serotonin levels.

Many of these antidepressants, for instance, mitigate stress, anxiety, insomnia, and nutritional deficiencies. All these factors could be at the root of depression. The antidepressants reviewed here are good examples of products that address depression from multiple angles.

These products reduce stress, central nervous system activity, cortisol release, and enhance brain neurotransmitter synthesis and support overall brain health. All this makes antidepressants a better and safer alternative to fighting depression.

Robert, DO, FCCP

Dr. Robert S. Rosenberg DO, FCCP, is the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center of Prescott Valley, Arizona, and sleep medicine Read Full Bio