Mental health medication

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There's lots of help available if you're feeling depressed or anxious, not necessarily involving medication. Talk to your local doctor (GP) or call Saneline on 0845 767 8000 .

With the exception of Saint John's Wort, the following drugs are prescribed only after a consultation with a doctor. This guide is for reference only, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): widely prescribed, especially Prozac - they block the re-uptake of the hormone serotonin into the nerve cell that released it;
Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): e.g. Efexor, work in a similar way to SSRIs, but also change noradrenaline levels;
Tricyclics (TCAs): often precribed for depression with no obvious cause. Include Ludiomil and Molipaxin;
Lithium: mood-stabilising drug commonly used to treat manic depression, but may also be prescribed to patients with repeated episodes of severe depression;

St John's Wort: herbal remedy that trials have shown to be effective for many people in cases of mild depression. Has some side effects and interacts with many drugs, including the contraceptive pill and prescribed antidepressants. If you are on any medication, talk to your GP before taking St John's Wort.

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