ABSTRACT
All antidepressants and stimulants in current clinical use are discussed with a clinical focus. Bupropion is particularly effective for patients presenting with symptoms such as anergia, apathy, psychomotor retardation, poor concentration, and anhedonia, loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable and depressed mood. Fluoxetine is a serotonergic antidepressant with antianxiety and anti-obsessive-compulsive effects. Sertraline is a serotonergic antidepressant that is effective and FDA-approved for treatment of depression and obsession-compulsive disorder. Sertraline has side effects similar to fluoxetine and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paroxetine has been found to be effective for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia. Fluvoxamine has all of the advantages of serotonergic antidepressants, with a similar side effect profile; however, there are some differences that are clinically important. The use of nortriptyline as a primary antidepressant is decreasing in favor of the new generation of antidepressants; however, adjunctive use at low doses is quite effective.
