Best Atypical Antipsychotic for major depressive disorder
6 Atypical Antipsychotic drugs used for major depressive disorder, ranked by our independent rating. Compare them with all treatments for major depressive disorder or the full Atypical Antipsychotic class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 6 atypical antipsychotic drugs we rate for major depressive disorder, 5 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are tablet. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for major depressive disorder; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How atypical antipsychotic work
Atypical antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, rebalancing these signaling chemicals to reduce hallucinations, delusions, and mood symptoms in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Source: Atypical Antipsychotic Agents - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Other drug classes for major depressive disorder
Top atypical antipsychotic for major depressive disorder: 1. Latuda · 2. Lurasidone Hydrochloride · 3. Quetiapine Fumarate
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $9 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $9 | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $3 | View → |
Full ranking · 6 drugs
latuda
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Latuda (Lurasidone Hydrochloride) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.19/30· 5 forms Save up to 78% in classlurasidone hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Lurasidone Hydrochloride is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.19/30· 5 forms Save up to 78% in classquetiapine fumarate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Quetiapine Fumarate is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat Autistic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Psychotic Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.87/30· 8 forms Save up to 21% in class
rexulti
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Rexulti (Brexpiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia.
Price varies
seroquel
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Seroquel (Quetiapine Fumarate) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat Autistic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Psychotic Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.87/30· 8 forms Save up to 21% in class
seroquel xr
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Seroquel XR (Quetiapine Fumarate) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat Autistic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Psychotic Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.87/30· 8 forms Save up to 21% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best atypical antipsychotic for major depressive disorder?
- Ratings are based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data — always consult a professional.
- Which atypical antipsychotic drugs treat major depressive disorder?
- pharmaranks lists 6 Atypical Antipsychotic products used for major depressive disorder, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.