Antidepressant drugs all have side effects, but newer generations of these medications are significantly improved over some of the older medications in this regard. A given medication will have one or more side effects in one particular person, and another set of side effects in somebody else. Sometimes, the side effects are mild enough to continue the drug. Other times, the drug may need to be changed. Alternatively, another drug may be added because sometimes the right combination of drugs decreases side effects.These drugs should be taken under the supervision of a health-care professional.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are also known as SSRIs. The first such drug of this class that was widely used is fluoxetine, brand name Prozac. Other drugs in this class include escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine and sertraline. These drugs commonly cause sexual side effects, which may include an inability to experience orgasm or delayed ejaculation in men. As such, they have even been prescribed for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Other side effects common to this class include nausea and other GI complaints, dry mouth and headache.
Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
Venlafaxine, brand name Effexor, and duloxetine, brand name Cymbalta, are both approved SNRIs for the treatment of depression. A study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that 60mg per day of duloxetine has about the same risks and benefits as 150mg per day of venlafaxine extended release. Some of the more common side effects included nausea in 43 percent of those taking duloxetine and 35 percent of those on venlafaxine. Headaches and dry mouth were experienced in 20 percent of people.
Other Drugs
Some antidepressant drugs have side effects that are actually beneficial to people. Mirtazepine is one such drug. For example, some people with depression have trouble sleeping and a loss of appetite. Mirtazepine's side effects include increasing appetite, weight gain and sleep. Another notable side effect is dry mouth.
Bupropion is a drug that may be used on its own to treat depression. It is also added to drug regiments to decrease the incidence of sexual side effects. According to BTA pharmaceutical's prescribing information, agitation, insomnia or anxiety were experienced by 10 percent of people. About 20 percent of people lost weight, compared to 10 percent of the placebo group. The medication can also increase the chances of having a seizure.
References
- Eli Lilly and Co.: Prozac Prescribing Information
- Journal of Psychiatric Research: A Randomized, Double-blind Comparison of Duloxetine and Venlafaxine in the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
- CNS Drugs: Mirtazapine: A Review of Its Use in Major Depression and Other Psychiatric Disorders
- BTA Pharmaceuticals: Wellbutrin XL: BupropionHydrochloride Extended Release
