Atypical antidepressants

Atypical Antidepressants

Atypical antidepressants are a type of antidepressant medication that do not fit into the other established classes, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants. They have unique mechanisms of action that differentiate them from other classes of antidepressants.

Pronunciation

Atypical antidepressants: /əˈtɪpɪkəl ˌæntɪdɪˈprɛsənts/

Etymology

The term "atypical" comes from the Greek word "atypikos" which means "not conformable," and "antidepressant" is derived from the Latin words "anti-" meaning "against" and "deprimere" meaning "to press down."

Mechanism of Action

Atypical antidepressants work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, but each drug does this in a unique way. Some atypical antidepressants increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters, while others decrease the levels. The exact mechanism of action for each atypical antidepressant varies.

Examples

Examples of atypical antidepressants include bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, and vortioxetine.

Side Effects

Like all medications, atypical antidepressants can cause side effects. Common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, and dizziness. More serious side effects can include suicidal thoughts, especially in young adults and adolescents.

Related Terms

• Antidepressant
• Neurotransmitter
• Bupropion
• Mirtazapine
• Trazodone
• Vortioxetine

See Also

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

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