APA Dictionary of Psychology

a class of medications developed starting in the late 1990s, after the introduction of other, established antidepressants (i.e., monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs), and that act through mechanisms distinct from these older drugs. They are often considered for treating depression alongside other medical or psychiatric conditions, and may be selected based on individual symptom profiles, side effect considerations, or comorbidities. Examples of novel antidepressants include the SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine), norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) (e.g., bupropion), and noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) (e.g., mirtazapine, reboxetine).