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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Drug Classes

Antidepressant

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

/ˌæntidɪˈprɛsənt/nounCommon term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, antidepressant means: A medicine used to treat depression and some other conditions, such as anxiety disorders and certain kinds of long-term pain.

In Turkish: antidepresan

How it is used

Main groups are SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine, SNRIs, tricyclics and others. Pharmacists explain that the full effect often takes a few weeks, that early side effects may settle, and that stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms. Interactions that can cause serotonin syndrome are checked carefully.

Example sentences

  1. It can take two to four weeks before the antidepressant starts to help.

  2. He wants to stop his antidepressant, so I suggested he talk to his doctor about reducing it gradually.

Common collocations

  • start an antidepressant
  • come off antidepressants
  • SSRI antidepressant
  • discontinuation symptoms
  • onset of actionThe time between taking a medicine and the moment it starts to have a noticeable effect.
  • drug interactionA change in the effect of a medicine caused by another medicine, a food, a drink or a disease, which can make the medicine weaker, stronger or more harmful.
  • side effectAn effect of a medicine that is not the main reason for taking it; most side effects are unwanted, such as nausea, drowsiness or a headache.
  • adherenceThe extent to which a patient takes a medicine as agreed with the prescriber, at the right dose and times and for the right length of time.

More terms: Drug Classes

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.