It is estimated that as many as five percent of the world’s population1 suffers from depression. Depression can be caused by many different factors including genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors. There are various treatment options available, including cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy and medication.
Antidepressant medication has proven quite effective for many sufferers of depression. Antidepressants can help balance chemicals in the brain and provide relief for many sufferers of depression. Trying antidepressants might be the relief of depression symptoms you have been looking for.
Access to safe and effective prescriptions has been made easier with online health providers like RedBox Rx. Licensed medical professionals are available to assess your medication needs to treat depression. If you are experiencing suicidal or self-harm thoughts, please reach out immediately to a health care provider or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants2 are a collection of medications meant to treat depression disorders. Antidepressants are often prescribed for other mental and physical illnesses, including bipolar disorder, anxiety and chronic pain conditions.
Types of antidepressants
Depression is a highly individualized mental illness that requires specialized treatment. Every person responds differently to treatment and medications. This has produced a broad spectrum of prescription medication treatments.
Antidepressants can take some time, sometimes weeks or months, to feel the full effects. It is also quite common to try multiple prescriptions before finding one that best suits your personal depression symptoms. No drug is inherently better or worse; it depends on how the user’s body and brain respond.
Learn about different types of antidepressants and their functions.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression
The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. Serotonin3 is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain responsible for multiple functions, including boosting mood. Low serotonin levels in the brain have been linked to depression and anxiety.
SSRIs4 block the absorption of serotonin into neurons to increase levels of serotonin available in the brain. Higher levels of serotonin have proven helpful in reducing symptoms of depression in many people.
Common brands of SSRIs:
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for depression
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)5 work similarly to SSRIs. Instead of just blocking uptake of serotonin, they also block neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Norepinephrine6 plays a role in the body’s mood regulation and concentration. Raising levels of serotonin and norepinephrine can help ease depression symptoms in many individuals.
Common brands of SNRIs:
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®)
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima®)
Atypical antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants7 do not fit within one singular category. Mental health is an ever-evolving area of medicine that often requires experimentation to find an individual’s best course of treatment. Atypical antidepressants function differently than SSRIs or SNRIs. They can also be medications commonly prescribed for conditions outside of depression but have been found through research to be effective in treating depression. Individuals often turn to atypical antidepressants when they can’t tolerate SSRIs or SNRIs side effects or find them ineffective.
Common atypical antidepressants:
Mirtazapine (Remeron®)
Can you get antidepressants over the counter?
Antidepressant medications are available by prescription only and are not over the counter. Please keep in mind it is unsafe to take antidepressants that have not been prescribed, specifically to you, by a licensed medical professional.
Can I get antidepressants online?
Full-service telehealth and online pharmacy providers, like RedBox Rx, can prescribe antidepressants online. From the comfort of your home, you can fill out a questionnaire and speak directly to a U.S. licensed medical professional to determine if antidepressants could be a good fit for you. Telehealth providers can prescribe antidepressant medications online, while online pharmacies can fill and deliver the script. From there, you can have the prescription shipped directly to you, all for a flat rate.
Your mental health is important.
Get personalized depression treatment online when you need it – we offer a flat rate doctor consult, no membership fees, and no wait.
Get StartedCan I get antidepressants without insurance? How much does it cost?
You can get antidepressants without insurance. However, the cost will vary depending on the provider. Historically, there is not a lot of transparency from traditional physician’s offices about the costs of medications.
Insurance can also be a barrier to finding the proper medication for your specific needs. It often takes a bit of experimentation to get the dosing and type of antidepressant right. Some insurance plans will only cover certain antidepressants, and your doctor may want to prescribe something not covered. To mitigate this, Redbox Rx does not require insurance and provides transparent, affordable pricing upfront.
If you are concerned about how much it will cost to get antidepressants without insurance, there are a few things you can try to minimize the expense:
Be honest with your doctor. These professionals have seen patients from a wide range of budgets and circumstances. They may find ways to reduce the costs of antidepressants for you.
Utilize a telehealth provider. A telehealth provider often operates outside of the insurance industry. They provide services and medications at a flat rate and perform transactions directly with the patient. Not only will you know upfront what antidepressants will cost, but it can also often be more affordable than getting a prescription from your general practitioner without insurance.
Switch to generic. Generic forms of prescription medications have the same active ingredients as name brands, without the high price tag. Ask your doctor if there is a generic version of your antidepressants to find out if you could switch to save money.
How to talk to your doctor about antidepressants
Asking for professional help for your mental illness can be intimidating. Here are a few tips on how to talk to your doctor8 about antidepressants:
Bring a notebook. Your doctor will likely provide a lot of information in a short amount of time. Take notes so you won’t forget important details.
Prepare a few questions and statements ahead of time. It is common for your mind to go blank in stressful or uncomfortable situations. Writing down your symptoms and questions ahead of time can help you at the moment if you feel flustered.
Remember, the doctor is here to help you. You are talking to this professional to get help. They must have all the information to determine a diagnosis and decide if a prescription is right for you. The visit with the doctor is a safe place, to be honest, and vulnerable, without judgment.
Common symptoms of depression
If you are not even sure where to start talking to your doctor about depression, it might be helpful to recognize the symptoms of depression. Common depression9 symptoms include:
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or emptiness
Loss of interest in activities that used to be fun or give you joy
Irritability
Disrupted sleep pattern, either sleeping too much or not enough
Fatigue
Disrupted eating patterns, loss of appetite or overeating
Slowed thinking and body movements
Feelings of worthlessness
Brain fog, trouble concentrating and forgetfulness
Unexplained body aches or headaches
Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
How RedBox Rx can help
RedBox Rx makes receiving medication treatment for depression easy and affordable.
Benefits of RedBox Rx include:
Transparent, affordable, flat rates for medications starting at $25/month.
$25 consultations with a U.S. licensed medical professional.
No insurance required. FSA and HSA eligible.
No office wait times or scheduling issues typical with physical medical practices.
FREE shipping directly to you. Monthly subscriptions available.
Get started on your depression treatment journey with our assessment.
If you are experiencing suicidal or self-harm thoughts, please reach out immediately to a health care provider or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
