Most of the people with depressive disorders are prescribed with antidepressant medication. Antidepressant are very effective and taken under proper guidance can relieve the symptom of depression. Doctors prescribe medication to the patient depending upon the age and toleration of medications. It has come to notice that only 10% of the people with depression get adequate medication.

There are several drugs available which work as antidepressant including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), serotonin, reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics. The medication follows correct analysis of past clinical history, right diagnosis depending on the present condition.  Nowadays medications are available with patent package inserts, giving information about the medication and how it should be taken and the possible side effect of the medication. 

The medications should be strictly taken as per the doctor’s advice as any substance that can change the behavior of the person and can definitely cause harm in a wrong way. Drugs tend to differ in duration of action, speed and in their margin for error. The depression medication is classified into two main categories – Acute Medication and Continuation Medication. They are the medication to treat the types of depression symptoms like mild depression, moderate depression and severe depression. For each of the symptom there is defined medical treatment.

The use of acute medication systematically removes the severe symptoms of depression till the patients feels better and fine whereas Continuation medication is continued even after the patient feels fine. There is one more disorder called as recurrent depression which is treated by the third type of medication called “maintenance treatment.” in this treatment the patient is maintained on the depression treatment for a lengthy period.