Antidepressants usually work well at improving moods for patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Medications may take several weeks before patients experience the full effects. Sometimes changes in dosage or medications become necessary to improve conditions. People need to be patient until finding the right drug that works for their particular mental state. Side effects may occur with these medications and the good results usually outweigh the risks of those effects.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual side effects may occur for both men and women taking certain antidepressants. The newest medications, which include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, called SSRIs, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, known as SNRIs, have fewer side effects overall than older medications, but are more likely to cause sexual dysfunction. Bupropion, a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, may be an antidepressant least likely to cause sexual side effects. Other drugs that have a lesser chance of causing sexual dysfunction include mirtazapine and nefazodone. Patients who experience sexual problems with newer antidepressants can switch to medications less likely to cause sexual side effects, MayoClinic.com notes. These drugs may also work as a second antidepressant to counter sexual problems of another drug. Couples can arrange sexual activities before the patient takes the antidepressants if medication is taken once a day. Sexual enhancement medication may also help.
Chronic Effects
Headaches, nausea, drowsiness, agitation, blurred vision and weight gain may result from use of antidepressants. Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, shakiness and trouble sleeping may also occur. Some of these side effects may disappear over time. However, some people may experience symptoms as long as they take antidepressant medication, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Switching dosage or changing medications may alleviate the problems.
Reactions with Other Medicines
Combining the newer SSRI and SNRI antidepressants with certain medications to treat migraine headaches can have life-threatening results, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The combination may lead to "serotonin syndrome," which can cause unusual changes in blood pressure, high temperature, agitation and hallucinations. The syndrome may also occur when combining the headache medication with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, an older antidepressant that works effectively for some patients with depression or anxiety. Combining MAOIs with certain foods and medicines can also cause sharp increases in blood pressure and the risk of stroke. A chemical called tyramine can be dangerous when mixed with MAOIs. Some cheese, wines and pickles contain tyramine, as do some decongestants and cold medicines.
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