Antidepressants work successfully to treat depression and anxiety disorders for many patients. The drugs may affect neurotransmitters, message carriers in the brain, to balance mental health and improve moods. Like other medications, antidepressants can have side effects. In many cases, the symptoms wear off after a while. Doctors can readjust dosage or change medications to ease side effects for patients. Symptoms may vary and some patients may not experience certain side effects while others do.
Popular Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a class of drugs that cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. SSRIs include fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline and paroxetine. Common side effects include sleeplessness or drowsiness, headaches, nausea, agitation and reduced sex drive or sexual problems for men and women. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar side effects to SSRIs. Venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine and duloxetine are SNRIs. Venlafaxine may raise blood pressure or cause dangerous and fatal effects from overdose, MayoClinic.com notes. Desvenlafaxine works similarly to venlafaxine and may cause fewer sexual side effects, but research continues on that possible aspect. Duloxetine may cause nausea, dry mouth or constipation.
Sexual Problems
Doctors usually deal with sexual side effects by changing medications to ones that reduce the risk of sexual dysfunction. Bupropion, a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, or NDRI, causes fewer sexual side effects than other antidepressants, according to Psych Central. However, NDRIs may cause agitation, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite and insomnia, FamilyDoctor.org notes. People with seizure disorders or bulimia should not take NDRIs.
Serious Effects
Tricyclics, which include clomipramine, imipramine and amitriptyline, belong to an older class of antidepressants that work well for many patients, but have more serious side effects. Sexual side effects, dry mouth, constipation, bladder problems and weight gain may occur. Overdosing may be deadly, MayoClinic.com states. Doctors do not usually prescribe tricyclics for older patients and people with low blood pressure or heart problems.
Dangerous Reactions
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, belong to the oldest class of antidepressants. These drugs benefit some patients. Common side effects include dizziness, upset stomach, dry mouth, twitching muscles, sleep problems and sexual side effects. MAOIs also pose dangerous side effects when combined with certain medications and foods, the National Institute of Mental Health explains. Potentially fatal high blood pressure can occur. Certain cheeses, wines and pickles, as well as decongestants and cold medicines can cause interactions. An MAOI patch may avoid serious risks. Doctors usually work with patients and monitor them closely so they will avoid the foods and medication that may cause dangerous interactions. MAOI drugs include isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine.
Process
Finding the right antidepressants or combination of medications can take weeks or months for patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Doctors try to eliminate negative side effects or reduce them as much as possible during the process. Patients who work closely with their doctors can eventually come across the correct dosage and medication that successfully treats their condition.
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