Healthcare Insights
Most common antidepressants
Antidepressants are widely prescribed in the U.S., where, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 21 million adults are affected by one or more major depressive disorders.
For biopharmaceutical companies, behavioral health organizations, and other businesses looking to enter or compete effectively in this space, understanding the latest trends impacting the antidepressant market can be invaluable to your growth strategy.
Using data from the Atlas All-Payor Claims Dataset, we’ve compiled a list of the most common antidepressants prescribed and dispensed to patients across the U.S. during 2024.
| Rank | Drug name | % of total prescriptions | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sertraline Hcl | 7.69% | Explore |
| 2 | Bupropion Hcl | 6.55% | Explore |
| 3 | Escitalopram Oxalate | 6.38% | Explore |
| 4 | Trazodone Hcl | 6.18% | Explore |
| 5 | Fluoxetine Hcl | 5.16% | Explore |
| 6 | Duloxetine Hcl | 4.27% | Explore |
| 7 | Venlafaxine Hcl | 2.95% | Explore |
| 8 | Citalopram Hydrobromide | 2.42% | Explore |
| 9 | Mirtazapine | 1.91% | Explore |
| 10 | Amitriptyline Hcl | 1.63% | Explore |
Fig. 1. Data from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas Prescription Claims product for calendar year 2024. Claims data is sourced from multiple medical claims clearinghouses in the United States and updated monthly. Accessed January 2026.
What are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants?
The table above highlights the prescription volume of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants dispensed in 2024.
Sertraline hydrochloride ranks first at 7.69% of total prescriptions, reflecting its long-standing role as a first-line SSRI due to broad efficacy, tolerability, and low cost. It is followed closely by bupropion hydrochloride (6.55%) and escitalopram oxalate (6.38%), underscoring sustained demand for both SSRI and non-SSRI options that address different patient needs.
How trends in antidepressant prescription are changing healthcare
With the landscape of mental health care evolving, trends in antidepressant prescription point to several strategic opportunities for biopharma and behavioral health organizations looking to compete or bring new treatments into the market.
Below are a few of the emerging trends we’re watching:
Patent expirations and generic competition
As patents for branded antidepressants continue to expire, generic versions are increasingly dominating the market. This trend has already been observed with widely prescribed antidepressants like sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil), where the introduction of generics has led to lower prices and broader accessibility.
While generic competition increases patient access, it also places significant pressure on pharmaceutical companies. As the exclusivity of branded medications diminishes, companies must adopt innovative strategies to preserve their market share in this crowded space.
One common strategy is the introduction of new product formulations, such as extended-release versions, to extend market exclusivity in the face of impending generic entry. Other approaches may include targeting unmet needs, such as developing fast-onset therapies or drugs with novel mechanisms of action, to deliver added value and differentiate offerings. Additionally, obtaining FDA approval to market drugs for additional indications can help broaden their utility. Brand-only drugs will continue to largely compete for use in treatment-refractory patients.
Rising demand for nontraditional therapeutics
Interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy and NMDA receptor modulation (e.g., ketamine-based treatments) is increasing. Companies considering entry into these innovative areas may benefit from early R&D investment and strategic partnerships with mental health practitioners open to novel therapies. We touch upon the implications of psilocybin and other medications for treating major depressive disorders in our trends blog on the rise of non-opioid pain management.
Digital therapeutics are changing how mental health care is seen and treated
Digital therapeutics are evidence-based therapeutic interventions that are driven by software. They aim to prevent, treat, or manage medical diseases or disorders using mobile devices, sensors, apps, virtual reality, and other tools.
While the most common digital therapeutics are mobile health apps that help people exercise or eat healthier, there is an emerging subset of software designed specifically for patients with mental or behavioral health conditions.
The applications and potential benefits of these apps are among the most talked about in healthcare today. Digital therapeutics are helping overworked physicians focus on the patients most in need of care while still supporting less critical patients through remote education, monitoring, and improved care coordination. For biopharma and behavioral health organizations looking for a competitive edge, researching and investing in digital therapeutics may be the solution.
Mental healthcare is finding a new home in urgent care centers
The shift of mental health patients seeking care at urgent care centers (UCCs) reflects a broader transformation in healthcare delivery, driven by factors like limited mental health provider availability, lengthy wait times for psychiatric services, and growing demand for convenient, immediate access to care.
The demand for mental health treatment at UCCs is altering the typical prescribing landscape and presents a unique opportunity for biopharma companies.
One example is the kind of medications UCCs most commonly prescribe. These facilities tend to prescribe drugs that are easy to initiate and monitor, such as SSRIs, because some treatments have lower monitoring requirements and a favorable safety profile. Biopharma companies can adjust their product positioning to strategically highlight the efficacy and ease of use of their medications to more effectively sell to UCCs and increase market share.
Antidepressant classes represented
Antidepressant medications can fall into a number of different categories based on how the drug affects the body’s chemistry. The main types of antidepressants include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs generally have fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants, which contributes to the number of people who take SSRIs. The top two medications on the list above - sertraline and escitalopram – are examples of SSRI antidepressant medications.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs work similarly to SSRIs but affect both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The medication in sixth place on the list above, duloxetine, is an example of an SNRI medication.
Atypical antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants are a diverse group of medications that don't fit neatly into the other categories. The drugs trazodone and bupropion on the list above are examples of atypical antidepressant medications. Trazodone is often classified as a SARI but can be included under the “atypical” umbrella due to its distinct mechanism. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is another atypical antidepressant with a unique mechanism of action, as it primarily affects dopamine and norepinephrine.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants are some of the earliest types of antidepressant medications. They have some increased risks of side effects, so they are less frequently prescribed today and are often reserved for patients with more treatment-resistant conditions.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOIs are the first type of antidepressant medications developed and have mostly been replaced with the more popular antidepressant medication types, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, due to their fewer side effects.
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Healthcare Insights are developed with data from the Definitive Healthcare product portfolio and federal sources. Want even more insights? Start a free trial now and get access to the latest intelligence on hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
