Depression Medicine & Its Side Effects

Depression generally is treated by a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Many different types of medications are available to treat depression, and the first one prescribed may not be right for you. It may take several trials of antidepressants to help get you on the right track. You and your doctor will need to work together to find what works best for you.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be the first type of drugs your physician or psychiatrist may use to help with your depression. These drugs tend to have less severe side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. This class of drugs includes Lexapro (escitalopram), Sarafem or Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline). Side effects from SSRIs may include diarrhea, drowsiness, headaches, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, behavioral changes, breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, vision blurring, memory loss, changes in menstrual cycles, lethargy and irritability, among others.

Tricyclics

TCAs, or tricyclic antidepressants, may cause side effects that are severe, more so than SSRIs. These types of medications are used to correct unusual characteristics of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain that, according to the Mayo Clinic, are believed to influence behavior and moods. Tricyclics include Tofranil (imipramine), Surmontil (trimipramine), Norpramin (desipramine), Pamelor (nortriptyline), Sinequan (doxepin), Vivactil (protriptyline), Vanatrip or Elavil (amitriptyline) and Asendin (amoxapine). Side effects from these antidepressants can include bleeding from the gums, confusion, darkened urination, breathing problems, agitation, pain in the abdomen, coma, seizures, headaches, hostility, excitement, nightmares, insomnia, fear, bloating, speaking problems, weak heartbeat that may be rapid, drooling, high fever, decreased appetite and bladder control problems, among many others.

MAOIs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the least likely antidepressants to be prescribed because of severe side effects. They may be prescribed by your physician if other treatments fail to help your depression. This class of drugs includes Parnate (tranylcypromine), Emsam (selegiline), Nardil (phenelzine) and Marplan (isocarboxazid). MAOIs can produce such side effects as anxiety, agitation, depression, coma, reduction in normal body motions, fevers, nausea, hyperventilation, weakness, confusion, cold sweats, insomnia, diarrhea, lowered libido and impotence.