Best Antidepressant Advice on the Web

Antidepressants don't affect everyone the same way. Fortunately the Web is filled with resources for those who want to learn more about these drugs. The following sites contain valuable information about side effects and cost, as well as a message board where people discuss their experiences with antidepressants.

Site	Who It's For	Why We Like It
American Academy of Family Physicians	People considering taking antidepressants	Reading this information—presented in a Q&A format—is like having a conversation with your own doctor. Begin here if you have never taken antidepressants. It explains how the different types work, how long people usually take them, and how they could interact with your other medications.
National Alliance on Mental Illness	People with questions about their medication	NAMI provides information on more than 30 antidepressants. These summaries cover side effects, FDA warnings, dosage information, questions to ask your doctor, and potential complications for pregnant women.
Consumer Reports	People looking for affordable antidepressants	This 22-page downloadable booklet from the site summarizes the response rates and side effects of the most popular antidepressants. It also compares the prices of the drugs, lists available generic versions, and provides tips on pill splitting—all of which may save you money.
HealthyPlace.com	People on antidepressants who want to chat casually or vent	This online community offers an array of support. Everyone is welcome to contribute to the message board, where threads have addressed topics such as switching antidepressants, weaning off of medication, and side effects like sexual dysfunction.
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine	Depression patients with questions about side effects	A pair of Cleveland Clinic doctors wrote this review on weight gain as a side effect of antidepressants to help other doctors advise their patients when choosing a medication. Use it as a tool to talk to your doctor about your antidepressant. Some antidepressants are likely to cause weight loss, while others can lead to weight gain.
Baby Center	Depressed women who are pregnant	An expert addresses the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy and explains how antidepressants can affect the likelihood of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature birth, and birth defects. You can also post your own response and read about other people's experiences with antidepressants during pregnancy.