The tables below provide useful summary information about many medications used to treat Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Sexual Dysfunction, and other illnesses. Each entry contains a link to the manufacturer's prescribing information, or, in a few cases where such information was not available, to similar information provided by other sources.

The tables are adapted from my book, Medicines for Mental Health, also available on this Web site. The book contains much more information about these medications, about the terms used in the tables, and about how the disorders are defined and treated. Please consult it for additional information.

    Antidepressant Medications: for Depression and Other Conditions
    Dopamine Agonists: for Depression, Sexual Dysfunction, and Parkinson's Disease
    Stimulants: for Depression, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Narcolepsy
    Mood Stabilizers: for Bipolar Disorder, Seizures, and Depression
    Benzodiazepines: for Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, and Seizures
    Typical Antipsychotics: for Schizophrenia and Psychosis
    Atypical Antipsychotics: for Schizophrenia and Psychosis
    Vasodilators: for Sexual Arousal Disorder and Erectile Dysfunction
    Miscellaneous Medications for Sexual Dysfunction Caused by Antidepressants



Antidepressant Medications: for Depression and Other Conditions

These medications are primarily prescribed for Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Selegiline, which is in this category, is also an effective treatment for Sexual Dysfunction (specifically, low libido, or lack of sexual desire, whether due to depression, or other causes).
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
5-HTP 5-Hydroxytryptophan   90 minutes 8 hours None (non-prescription medication) Depression; Insomnia; overeating (as appetite supprressant)
Anafranil Clomipramine Tricyclic 3 days 14 days Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Depression
Asendin Amoxapine Tricyclic 24 hours 5 days Depression; Psychotic Depression; anxiety  
Azilect Rasagiline   3 hours 14 days Parkinson's Disease Depression; Sexual Dysfunction
Celexa Citalopram Bicyclic Phthalane derivative 35 hours 1 week Depression  
Cymbalta Duloxetine   12 hours 3 days Depression Urinary Incontinence in Women
Dalcipran Milnacipran Tricyclic 8 hours 2 days Depression  
Desyrel Trazodone Triazolopyridine 12 hours 3 days Depression  
Edronax Reboxetine Tricyclic 12 hours 3 days Depression  
Effexor Venlafaxine Bicyclic 16 hours 3 days Depression; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Social Anxiety Disorder  
Elavil Amitriptyline Tricyclic 20 hours 4 days Depression  
Eldepryl Selegiline (oral)   10 hours 14 days Depression; Parkinson's Disease (Adjunctive) Sexual Dysfunction
Emsam Selegiline (patch)   1 day 14 days Depression Sexual Dysfunction
Lexapro Escitalopram Citalopram derivative 30 hours 1 week Depression; Generalized Anxiety Disorder  
Ludiomil Maprotiline Tetracyclic 2 days 10 days Depression; Bipolar Disorder (Depressive phase); Psychotic Depression  
Luvox Fluvoxamine Monocyclic 16 hours 3 days Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Depression
Manerix Moclobemide   90 minutes 1 day Depression  
Marplan Isocarboxazid       Depression  
Nardil Phenelzine   12 hours 10 days Depression (especially Atypical, Non-endogenous, Neurotic), with anxiety, phobia, or hypochondria; Depression (Endogenous, less evidence of usefulness)  
Norpramin Desipramine Tricyclic 1 day 5 days Depression  
Optimax L-Tryptophan   2 hours 10 hours None (non-prescription medication) Depression; Insomnia
Pamelor Nortriptyline Tricyclic 20 hours 4 days Depression  
Parnate Tranylcypromine   2 hours 7 days Depression (Major Depressive Episode without Melancholia)  
Paxil Paroxetine Phenylpiperidine 21 hours 5 days Depression; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Panic Disorder (with or without agoraphobia); Social Anxiety Disorder; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  
Prothiaden Dothiepin Tricyclic 1 day 5 days Depression; anxiety Pain (from cancer); Fibromyalgia
Prozac Fluoxetine Bicyclic 1 week 5 weeks Depression; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Bulimia  
Remeron Mirtazapine Tetracyclic 30 hours 1 week Depression  
SAM-e S-adenosylmethionine   100 minutes 8 hours None (non-prescription medication) Depression; Osteoarthritis (for pain)s
Serzone Nefazodone Monocyclic 18 hours 4 days Depression  
Sinequan Doxepin Tricyclic 1 day 5 days Depression; Psychotic Depression; anxiety  
St. John's Wort Hypericum   26 hours 6 days None (non-prescription medication) Depression; anxiety; Somatoform Disorder
Stablon Tianeptine Tricyclic 3 hours 1 day Depression  
Strattera Atomoxetine   5 hours 1 day Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Depression
Surmontil Trimipramine Tricyclic 1 day 5 days Depression  
Survector Amineptine Tricyclic 8 hours 2 days Depression  
Symbyax Fluoxetine + Olanzapine Bicyclic 1 week 5 weeks Bipolar Disorder (Depressive phase) Depression
Tofranil Imipramine Tricyclic 19 hours 4 days Depression  
Vivactil Protriptyline Tricyclic 16 days 80 days Depression  
Wellbutrin Bupropion Bicyclic 21 hours 8 days Depression; Nicotine Addiction Sexual Dysfunction (Antidepressant-induced)
Zoloft Sertraline   26 hours 1 week Depression; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Panic Disorder (with or without agoraphobia); Social Anxiety Disorder; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  






Dopamine Agonists: for Depression, Sexual Dysfunction, and Parkinson's Disease

These medications are primarily prescribed for Parkinson's Disease and Hyperprolactinemia. However, they can provide profound benefits for problems with anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure, a common symptom of depression) and Sexual Dysfunction (specifically, low libido, or lack of sexual desire, whether due to depression, the side effects of many antidepressants, or other causes).
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
Dostinex Cabergoline   3 days 15 days Hyperprolactinemia Depression; Sexual Dysfunction
Mirapex Pramipexole   8 hours 2 days Parkinson's Disease Depression; Sexual Dysfunction
Parlodel Bromocriptine Ergot derivative 1 day 5 days Acromegaly; Hyperprolactinemia; Parkinson's Disease Depression; Sexual Dysfunction
Permax Pergolide Ergot derivative 24 hours 5 days Parkinson's Disease (adjunctive) Depression; Sexual Dysfunction
Requip Ropinirole   6 hours 2 days Parkinson's Disease Depression; Sexual Dysfunction
Symmetrel Amantadine   17 hours 4 days Parkinson's Disease; Viral Infection (Influenza Type A) Depression; Sexual Dysfunction
Trivastal Piribedil   21 hours 5 days Parkinson's Disease Depression; Sexual Dysfunction






Stimulants: for Depression, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Narcolepsy

These medications are primarily prescribed for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, often abbreviated as ADD, for Attention Deficit Disorder). However, they are occasionally useful for depression for which lack of energy is a major problem, and for which other medications have failed. Most stimulants (but not Provigil) are considered highly addictive, and are therefore controlled substances, requiring special dispensing procedures.
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
Adderall Amphetamine (mixture) Amphetamine 20 hours 4 days Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Depression (Adjunctive)
Cylert Pemoline   12 hours 3 days Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Depression (Adjunctive)
Dexedrine Amphetamine Amphetamine 12 hours 3 days Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Narcolepsy Depression (Adjunctive)
Provigil Modafinil   15 hours 3 days Narcolepsy Depression (Adjunctive)
Ritalin Methylphenidate   3 hours 14 hours Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Narcolepsy Depression (Adjunctive)
Vyvanse Lisdexamfetamine Amphetamine 15 hours 3 days Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Depression (Adjunctive)






Mood Stabilizers: for Bipolar Disorder, Seizures, and Depression

These medications are primarily prescribed for Bipolar Disorder, although some have been found useful, in combination with an antidepressant, to treat Depression, as well. When used to treat Bipolar Disorder, a Mood Stabilizer is paired with an antidepressant. Be aware that most antidepressants should not be taken to treat the depressed phase of Bipolar Disorder unless a Mood Stabilizer is also taken, as the antidepressant by itself can trigger manic states.

Mood Stabilizers overlap significantly with anti-seizure medications, and some medications are useful for both conditions.
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
Depacon Sodium Valproate   24 hours 5 days Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); Seizures (Monotherapy, Adjunctive) Depression
Depakene Valproic Acid   24 hours 5 days Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); Seizures (Monotherapy, Adjunctive) Depression
Depakote Divalproex Sodium   24 hours 5 days Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); Seizures (Monotherapy, Adjunctive) Depression
Gabitril Tiagabine   8 hours 2 days Seizures (Partial, Adjunctive) Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Panic Disorder; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Lamictal Lamotrigine Phenyltriazine 33 hours 7 days Bipolar Disorder (General), type I; Seizures (Partial, Monotherapy or Adjunctive); Seizures (Generalized, Adjunctive) Depression
Lithobid Lithium Carbonate Lithium salt 24 hours 5 days Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase) Depression (Adjunctive)
Neurontin Gabapentin   6 hours 1 day Seizures (Partial, Adjunctive); Neuralgia (Postherpetic, i.e., from Herpes infections) Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)
Priadel Lithium Citrate Lithium salt (liquid form) 24 hours 5 days Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase) Depression (Adjunctive)
Tegretol Carbamazepine Tricyclic 16 hours 3 days Seizures (Partial, not Absence) Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)
Topamax Topiramate Monosaccharide 21 hours 4 days Seizures (Adjunctive) Bipolar Disorder (General), type I; Depression
Trileptal Oxcarbazepine Tricyclic 11 hours 3 days Seizures (Partial, Monotherapy and Adjunctive) Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)






Benzodiazepines: for Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, and Seizures

These medications are sedating, and primarily prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders. They can also be useful in treating seizures, and manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. In the latter two cases, they are taken to alleviate the problem after it has arisen, not on a continuing basis to prevent the problem.

Benzodiazepines are also useful as sleep aids, on an occasional basis.

Benzodiazepines are addictive, and long-term use is generally not advised, except in the case of anxiety and panic disorders.
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
Ativan Lorazepam Benzodiazepine 18 hours 4 days anxiety; Seizures Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); Insomnia
Klonopin Clonazepam Benzodiazepine 36 hours 1 week Panic Disorder (with or without agoraphobia); Seizures (Monotherapy, Adjunctive) Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)
Librium Chlordiazepoxide Benzodiazepine 36 hours 1 week anxiety Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)
Tranxene Clorazepate Dipotassium Benzodiazepine 2 days 10 days anxiety; Seizures (Adjunctive) Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)
Valium Diazepam Benzodiazepine 2 days 10 days anxiety; Muscle Spasms Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)
Xanax Alprazolam Benzodiazepine 11 hours 4 days Panic Disorder (with or without agoraphobia) Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)






Typical Antipsychotics: for Schizophrenia and Psychosis

These medications were developed primarily to treat Schizophrenia, and psychotic symptoms arising from other conditions, such as the manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. However, they have unpleasant and dangerous side effects, and have largely been replaced the newer "atypical" antipsychotics, which are more easily tolerated. These medications are now used primarily for acute (brief) treatment of other problems, as indicated in the table.
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
Compazine Prochlorperazine Phenothiazine 6 hours 2 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); anxiety (non-psychotic); vomiting  
Depixol Flupenthixol Thioxanthene 35 hours 7 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Haldol Haloperidol Butyrophenone 21 hours 5 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); Tourette's Disorder; explosive hyperexcitability in children; hyperactivity in children  
Haldol Decanoate Haloperidol Decanoate Butyrophenone 3 weeks 15 weeks Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Inapsine Droperidol Thioxanthene 2 hours 10 hours vomiting (in surgical and diagnostic procedures) anxiety (used as a sedative)
Loxitane Loxapine Dibenzoxazepine 4 hours 1 day Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Mellaril Thioridazine Phenothiazine 23 hours 5 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Moban Molindone Dihydroindolone 90 minutes 8 hours Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Navane Thiothixene Thioxanthene 30 hours 6 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Orap Pimozide Diphenylbutylpiperidine 55 hours 11 days Tourette's Disorder  
Prolixin Injection Fluphenazine Decanoate Phenothiazine 8 hours 40 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Serentil Mesoridazine Phenothiazine 2 days 10 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Sparine Promazine Phenothiazine 6 hours 30 hours Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Stelazine Trifluoperazine Phenothiazine 22 hours 5 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); anxiety (non-psychotic)  
Thorazine Chlorpromazine Phenothiazine 30 hours 6 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); vomiting; anxiety (pre-surgical); Porphyria; Tetanus (adjunctive); Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); Hiccups; explosive hyperexcitability in children; hyperactivity in children anxiety (used as a sedative)
Trilafon Perphenazine Phenothiazine 12 hours 3 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); vomiting  
Truxal Chlorprothixene Thioxanthene 10 hours 2 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase)  






Atypical Antipsychotics: for Schizophrenia and Psychosis

These medications were developed primarily to treat Schizophrenia, and psychotic symptoms arising from other conditions, such as the manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. Compared to the earlier "typical" antipsychotics, they are more easily tolerated, and provide more benefits. 
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
Abilify Aripiprazole Benzisoxazole 4 days 20 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Clozaril Clozapine   12 hours 3 days Schizophrenia (psychosis), treatment-resistant; suicidal behavior  
Dolmatil Sulpiride Benzamide 8 hours 2 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Geodon Ziprasidone Benzisoxazole 7 hours 35 hours Schizophrenia (psychosis); Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); agitation in schizophrenic patients  
Invega Paliperidone Benzisoxazole 1 day 5 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Risperdal Risperidone   20 hours 4 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase) Asperger's Syndrome; Autism; Depression (psychotic)
Serdolect Sertindole   3 days 15 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Seroquel Quetiapine Benzisoxazole 6 hours 30 hours Schizophrenia (psychosis); Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase); Bipolar Disorder (Depressive phase)  
Solian Amisulpride Benzamide 12 hours 3 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Zoleptil Zotepine Dibenzothiepine 15 hours 3 days Schizophrenia (psychosis)  
Zyprexa Olanzapine   30 hours 6 days Schizophrenia (psychosis); Bipolar Disorder (Manic phase) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Autism (for behavioral disorders)






Vasodilators: for Sexual Arousal Disorder and Erectile Dysfunction

These medications are used to treat Sexual Arousal Disorder, for both men and women. For men, this condition is more commonly known as Erectile Dysfunction, meaning the inability to achieve or maintain a satisfying erection. For women, the analogous problems (which include lack of lubrication and engorgement, or swelling) do not have such convenient names, but these medications can be effective for those problems as well.

These medications do not treat the problem of low libido, or lack of sexual desire, but other medications listed on this page can treat this type of Sexual Dysfunction effectively.
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
Cialis Tadalafil   18 hours 4 days Erectile Dysfunction  
Levitra Vardenafil   5 hours 1 day Erectile Dysfunction  
Muse Alprostadil   5 minutes 25 minutes Erectile Dysfunction  
Uprima Apomorphine   40 minutes 4 hours Parkinson's Disease Erectile Dysfunction
Viagra Sildenafil   8 hours 2 days Erectile Dysfunction  
Yocon Yohimbine   45 minutes 4 hours Erectile Dysfunction  







Miscellaneous Medications for Sexual Dysfunction Caused by Antidepressants

These medications are prescribed for a variety of purposes, but have in common the fact that they are useful for treating Sexual Dysfunction that is caused by antidepressant medications. (The exception is Buspirone, which has also been found useful for cases where the problem is not due to antidepressants.) This list is not comprehensive, as some of the other medications listed on this page are also useful for this problem.
Principal Brand Name Chemical Name Structural Type Half Life Washout Time On-Label Uses Off-Label Uses
BuSpar Buspirone   24 hours 5 days anxiety Sexual Dysfunction
Periactin Cyproheptadine   4 hours 1 day Allergies; Headache Sexual Dysfunction (Antidepressant-induced)
Prostigmin Neostigmine   1 hour 5 hours Myasthenia Gravis Sexual Dysfunction (Antidepressant-induced)
Urecholine Bethanechol   30 minutes 2 hours Urinary Retention Sexual Dysfunction (Antidepressant-induced)


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