Are There Alternatives To Zoloft?
Zoloft is commonly prescribed to treat the symptoms of depression, but those who are prescribed the medication would often prefer to avoid the associated risks and side effects. There are alternative medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, and Marplan, and these fit into a variety of categories of medication.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)
SSRIs – the category of antidepressant in which Zoloft fits – are a relatively new class of antidepressant. These medications work by increasing the level of serotonin available to the brain. The following medications are SSRIs:
• Paxil (Paroxetine)
• Prozac (Fluoxetine)
• Lexapro (Escitalopram)
• Celexa (Citalopram)
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)
SNRIs have a similar mechanism to that of SSRIs, except that norepinephrine is also made increasingly available to the brain. Though SNRIs are among the most prescribed antidepressants, a common complaint is the adverse sexual side effects connected to the medication. The following medications are SNRIs:
• Effexor (Venlafaxine)
• Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine)
• Cybalta (Duloxetine)
• Milnacipran (Dalcipran)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI)
MAOIs are not typically prescribed except as a last resort as there are a wide range of dangerous interactions with different foods. These medications work by making more monoamine oxidase available to the brain. The following medications are MAOIs:
• Nardil (Phenelzine)
• Eldepryl (Selegiline)
• Parnate (Tranylcypromine)
• Marplan (Isocarboxazid)
Tricyclics
Tricyclics are the oldest class of antidepressants and are much less often prescribed than the other three classes. The following medications are tricyclics:
• Sinequan (Doxepin
• Pamelor (Nortriptyline)
• Elavil (Amitriptyline)
• Asendin (Amoxapine)
Consider Your Alternatives
Though it is important that you only follow the advice of your doctor when it comes to your prescription, you can ask the appropriate questions and consider all of your alternatives for the treatment of your depression. Some patients have even decided with the help of their doctor to wean themselves off their medication entirely and seek out natural alternatives.
Pregnant women are of those that are most likely to benefit from natural alternatives as the risk of birth defects to children born to those prescribed Zoloft during pregnancy are very real. If your child has suffered birth defects because of your Zoloft prescription, the attorneys at the Rottenstein Law Group can help. For a free consultation with an RLG attorney please fill out this brief contact form.
