The most common antidepressants in Australia are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), with specific drugs like sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro) frequently prescribed, often as a first choice due to being generally well-tolerated for various conditions like depression and anxiety. SSRIs are the leading class, followed by SNRIs and TCAs, but sertraline and escitalopram stand out as top individual medications, according to recent data.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
This class includes sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine. SSRIs are: the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in Australia.
Zoloft seems to cause diarrhea more than other antidepressants. One study found that 14% of people taking Zoloft developed diarrhea, compared to about 7% for other SSRIs.
In head-to-head studies, agomelatine, amitriptyline, escitalopram, mirtazapine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and vortioxetine were more effective than other antidepressants (range of ORs 1·19–1·96), whereas fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, reboxetine, and trazodone were the least efficacious drugs (0·51–0·84).
Doctors, including general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists (specialists in mental health) can prescribe antidepressant medicines. Psychologists specialise in psychological treatments and do not prescribe medication, but they can talk to your doctor if they believe a trial of medicine would be of benefit.
The most common type used to treat generalised anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as:
Side effects of sertraline
The hardest antidepressants to come off are typically those with short half-lives, meaning they leave the body quickly, leading to more intense withdrawal (discontinuation syndrome); prominent examples include Paroxetine (Paxil), Venlafaxine (Effexor), and Fluvoxamine (Luvox), with Venlafaxine often cited for particularly severe withdrawal. In contrast, Fluoxetine (Prozac), with its long half-life, is generally considered the easiest to stop due to its gradual exit from the body.
There's good news for people with severe treatment-resistant depression: Esketamine is a groundbreaking therapy that can provide relief from major depression within hours.
The bottom line
Auvelity (dextromethorphan / bupropion) is a fast-acting antidepressant that treats depression in adults. It combines dextromethorphan and bupropion into a single pill. It may be effective in as little as 1 week, which is faster than other oral antidepressants.
Both tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might improve overall IBS symptoms.
Unlike more common antidepressants, which target serotonin, bupropion works primarily on the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine – two chemicals that play a key role in focus, reward, and motivation. This can make it a good option for those struggling with low energy and a lack of motivation.
Venlafaxine is categorized as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (unipolar), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.
After deciding that a patient needs to take an antidepressant, the choice of drug depends on the severity and symptom pattern of the depressive episode. There has to be a balance between efficacy and tolerability, which also considers patient safety and preference.
Including drugs which have been affected by the availability of 60-day prescriptions, the top 10 drugs by prescription counts were:
It's Effective for Clinical Depression
Five to eight percent of the adult population in the US is affected by clinical depression every year. Zoloft has minor side effects, but is very effective, and therefore it is the most prescribed antidepressant out there.
The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while severe depression can make you feel suicidal, that life is no longer worth living. Most people experience feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood during difficult times.
Eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, put you at risk of seizures. So, a doctor might not prescribe you Wellbutrin, which only further increases that risk. Severe anxiety. Some potential side effects of Wellburtion include jitteriness and agitation.
In January 2025, the FDA expanded its approval of Spravato as a stand-alone therapy in adults with severe depression. Esketamine, administered under medical supervision, is now approved in more than 90 countries and used increasingly around the world.
Escitalopram and sertraline stand out.
Bupropion, citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline were better tolerated than the other antidepressants. Escitalopram and sertraline were found to have the best combination of efficacy and acceptability.
Side-effects usually improve over time. Guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommends that antidepressants are used as 'maintenance' treatment for up to 2 years to prevent their depression returning (relapse).
The SNRI venlafaxine has been reported to have a higher incidence in withdrawal symptoms after discontinuation when compared to other SNRIs.
The FDA label for sertraline specifically acknowledges that the medication may cause difficulty concentrating, memory changes, and confusion as potential side effects. These symptoms can occur at therapeutic doses and may persist throughout treatment for some individuals.
Summary of Black Box Warnings
In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24.
Sertraline is slowly absorbed after oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations at 6-8 h.