Other Antidepressants
Patient education handouts for antidepressants outside the SSRI and SNRI categories — from Renee Reece, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
The only antidepressant that targets dopamine and norepinephrine — not serotonin. Uniquely energizing with no sexual side effects and associated with weight loss.
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
A sedating antidepressant particularly helpful when insomnia, poor appetite, or anxiety are key symptoms. Works through a completely different mechanism than SSRIs.
Trazodone (Desyrel)
Most commonly used as a non-habit-forming sleep aid at low doses. Also effective as an antidepressant at higher doses.
Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
A newer multi-modal antidepressant with unique cognitive benefits. Often improves memory, focus, and processing speed beyond what other antidepressants achieve.
Vilazodone (Viibryd)
Combines SSRI reuptake inhibition with partial serotonin receptor agonism. May have fewer sexual side effects and faster anxiety relief than traditional SSRIs.
Auvelity (DXM / Bupropion)
A first-in-class oral antidepressant with a novel glutamate mechanism similar to ketamine. Notably faster onset than traditional antidepressants — often within 1–2 weeks.