3/5/23, 11:19 AM Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work | Mechanisms of Action

AUTHORS LIST CONTACT US LOGOUT PSYCHIATRY CONVERSATIONS

PSYCH INSIGHTS VIDEO GALLERY PSYCH PEDIA

What are the Different Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work? | Me…
Me…

What are the Different Types of

Antidepressants AND How Do They Work? |
Mechanisms of Action
Posted on: May 6, 2022
Last Updated: May 6, 2022

Dr Sanil Rege covers the mechanisms of action of common antidepressants.

Antidepressants are medications that can help relieve symptoms of depression, social
anxiety disorder, anxiety disorders, seasonal affective disorder, dysthymia, or mild chronic
depression, as well as other conditions. Antidepressants were first developed in the 1950s.
Their use has become progressively more common in the last 20 years. Not all
antidepressants are the same. They differ in their mechanisms of action and side effect
profiles.

https://psychscenehub.com/video/what-are-the-different-types-of-antidepressants-and-how-do-they-work-mechanisms-of-action-2/ 1/7
3/5/23, 11:19 AM Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work | Mechanisms of Action

tSdwor
CrowdStrike®

dworC
2023 Global Threat
Report
Open
SSRIs: SSRIs block Serotonin transporter (SERT) and therefore increase levels of serotonin
in the synaptic cleft. This is thought to be linked to its anti-depressive effect. There are
however other mechanisms recently discovered that may be playing a part.

SNRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitters serotonin and

norepinephrine in the brain by blocking SERT and norepinephrine/noradrenaline
transporter (NART / NET).

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the

neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine by blocking SERT, NART and
Dopamine transporter (DAT).

Recent evidence suggests that Antidepressants work by increasing levels of BDNF through
their action on the TRKB (BDNF) receptor.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) – MAOIs increase levels of Dopamine, Serotonin

and Noradrenaline by blocking MAO-A and MAO-B enzymes which are responsible for
the breakdown of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline.

NASSA (Mirtazapine, Mianserin) – Dual Effect – Serotonin Antagonism and increasing

noradrenaline by alpha 2 antagonism.

Melatonergic agonists : Agomelatine

Serotonin modulators: Vortioxetine

NARI: e.g Reboxetine Acts as a reuptake inhibitor for the neurotransmitters

norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) by blocking the action of
the norepinephrine/noradrenaline transporter (NET).

NDRI (Noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitor): e.g Bupropion – They block the
action of specific transporter proteins. NET and DAT- increasing the amount of active
norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitters throughout the brain.

SARI (Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor) – Trazodone is an antidepressant that

works by inhibiting both serotonin transporter and serotonin type 2 receptors.

5/5 - (6 votes)

https://psychscenehub.com/video/what-are-the-different-types-of-antidepressants-and-how-do-they-work-mechanisms-of-action-2/ 2/7
3/5/23, 11:19 AM Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work | Mechanisms of Action

ALSO ON PSYCHSCENEHUB

Assessment & Neurobiology of Psychedelics and

Management of First … Depression – A … Hallucinogens in …

2 years ago • 1 comment a year ago • 4 comments 2 years ago • 1 comment

In this article, we summarise Recent advances in the Psychedelics and
the key principles in the neurobiology of depression hallucinogens have unique
assessment and … integrate perturbations of … mechanisms of action …

Sponsored

A new tip for nail fungus found (do this every day)
Eelhoe Get Offer

The Most Beautiful Women In The World

5minstory.com

Greta Thunberg, 19 Years Old, Drives Probably The Most Expensive Car In The
World
Paperela

Do You Remember Her? Take A Deep Breath Before Looking At Her Current Look
Mighty Scoops

40 Aircraft Paint Jobs That Took Us By Surprise

Flight 10

When He Married Her Everyone Laughed At Him. 6 Years Later She Showed Her
Transformation
Rest Wow

What do you think?

1 Response

Upvote Funny Love Surprised Angry Sad

0 Comments 
1 Login

G Start the discussion…

LOG IN WITH OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS ?

Name

 Share Best Newest Oldest

https://psychscenehub.com/video/what-are-the-different-types-of-antidepressants-and-how-do-they-work-mechanisms-of-action-2/ 3/7
3/5/23, 11:19 AM Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work | Mechanisms of Action

Sponsored

A new tip for nail fungus found (do this every day)
Eelhoe Get Offer

Greta Thunberg, 19 Years Old, Drives Probably The Most Expensive Car In The
World
Paperela

Do You Remember Her? Take A Deep Breath Before Looking At Her Current Look
Mighty Scoops

40 Aircraft Paint Jobs That Took Us By Surprise

Flight 10

Never Eat These 7 Foods Please! They Cause Cancer

Home Tricks

When He Married Her Everyone Laughed At Him. 6 Years Later She Showed Her
Transformation
Rest Wow

LATEST POSTS
Referral Pathway For Esketamine (SPRAVATO Nasal Spray) In Treatment-Resistant
Depression?
January 30, 2023

Read More »

Completing A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan In Treatment-Resistant Depression

(TRD)-Part 1
December 28, 2022

Read More »

Shared Decision Making In Generalised Anxiety Disorder – A Practical Approach

December 12, 2022

Read More »

Intranasal Esketamine Clinical Data – Implications For Patients And Clinicians

November 21, 2022

Read More »

 Number of Views: 2,757

https://psychscenehub.com/video/what-are-the-different-types-of-antidepressants-and-how-do-they-work-mechanisms-of-action-2/ 4/7
3/5/23, 11:19 AM Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work | Mechanisms of Action

Search this website SEARCH

DOWNLOAD CATALOGUE

CATEGORY
https://psychscenehub.com/video/what-are-the-different-types-of-antidepressants-and-how-do-they-work-mechanisms-of-action-2/ 5/7
3/5/23, 11:19 AM Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work | Mechanisms of Action

Psychopharmacology

Psychotic Disorder Spectrum

Mood Disorder Spectrum

Expert Interviews

Organic Spectrum

Child And Developmental Psychiatry

Exams And CPD

Technology In Psychiatry

Addiction Spectrum

Miscellaneous

Women's Mental Health

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

(ADHD)- All You Need To Know

GP Mental Health Bites

Psychology And Psychotherapy

Leadership And Management

Trauma Related Disorders

Research And Statistics

Anxiety Disorders

Eating Disorders

Forensic Psychiatry

COVID-19 And Psychiatry

General Mental Health Education

Case Files

Educational Resources

Wellbeing Section

Personality Disorders

LATEST TWEETS

https://psychscenehub.com/video/what-are-the-different-types-of-antidepressants-and-how-do-they-work-mechanisms-of-action-2/ 6/7
3/5/23, 11:19 AM Types of Antidepressants AND How Do They Work | Mechanisms of Action

Tweets from @psycheureka

Psychscenehub Retweeted

Sanil Rege
@sanilrege · Mar 4

Eating disorder awareness week.

#AnorexiaNervosa Medical
complications.
Here are a compilation of articles and
videos
psychscenehub.com/psychscenehub/…

1 4

View more on Twitter

Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

https://psychscenehub.com/video/what-are-the-different-types-of-antidepressants-and-how-do-they-work-mechanisms-of-action-2/ 7/7