Classification of Anti-Depressant Drugs

In this post, we will list down the major classifications of the antidepressant drugs and then explain important features about them.

Classification of Anti-Depressant Drugs

Anti depressants are classified in the following categories (with example drugs).

A – Tricyclics

1. Neutral: Imipramine, Dothiepin
2. Sedative: Amitriptyline, Trimipramine, Doxepin
3. Stimulant: Desipramine, Nortriptyline, Protriptyline, Mianserin

B – heterocyclics

Amoxapine, Maprotiline, Trazodone, Bupropion, Venlafaxine

C – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

1. Hydrazide derivatives: Phenelzine, Isocarboxazid
2. Non-hydrazide derivatives: Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide

D – Sympathomimetic Stimulants

Dextroamphetamine, Methylamphetamine, Methylphenidate

E – Selective Serotonini Reuptake Inhibitors

Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertaline.

Details about different classes of antidepressants

Let’s see individual class of antidepressant drugs and what’s unique about them.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Their overdose / toxicity can cause:

• Respiratory depression
• Hyperpyrexia (very high fever, above 106.1 F)
• Prolonged QT interval
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Cardiotoxicity, Na+ channel inhibition leading to arrhythmia