Side effects of antidepressant medication
Side effects of antidepressant medication
The types of drugs used in the treatment of depression are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
“atypical” antidepressants, and the older tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Side
effects are common in all antidepressants and for many people, the side effects are serious enough to make them stop
taking the medication.
Side effects of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
The most widely prescribed antidepressants come from a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake
clozaril (SSRIs).
Common side effects of
SSRI antidepressants:
Nausea
Insomnia
Anxiety
cymbalta 30 mg
Decreased sex drive
Dizziness
Weight gain or loss
Tremors
Sweating
Sleepiness
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Constipation
Headaches
The SSRIs include:
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Citalopram (Celexa)
The SSRIs act on a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, but it also plays a role
in digestion, pain, sleep, mental clarity, and other bodily functions. As a result, the SSRI antidepressants cause a
wide range of side effects.
Common side effects include sexual problems, drowsiness, sleep difficulties, and nausea. While some side effects go
away after the first few weeks of drug treatment, others persist and may even get worse.
In adults over the age of 65, SSRIs pose an additional concern. Studies citalopram 10mg tabs that SSRI medications may increase the
risk for falls, fractures, and bone loss in older adults. The SSRIs can also cause serious withdrawal symptoms if
you stop taking them abruptly.
Side effects of atypical antidepressants
There are a variety of newer depression drugs, called atypical antidepressants, which target other neurotransmitters
either alone or in addition to serotonin. Some of the brain chemicals they affect include norepinephrine and
dopamine.
The side effects vary according to the specific drug. However, many of the atypical antidepressants can cause
nausea, fatigue, weight gain, sleepiness, nervousness, dry mouth, and blurred vision.
The atypical antidepressants include: what is buspar (Wellbutrin)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Trazodone (Desyrel)
Nefazodone (Serzone)
