Side Effects of Anti-depressants

Anti-depressant Therapy is a highly effective way to ward off depression. Anti-depressants have been proven to be rather successful in dealing with the symptoms that often cause a depressed person’s severe debilitation. However, these drugs are not without side effects. In fact, anti-depressants can cause many side effects, some of which are negligible while some are serious.

Some people quit anti-depressant therapy abruptly because of the anti-depressants’ side effects. This should not be done. Abrupt cessation of anti-depressant therapy can cause worse symptoms that highly resemble withdrawal symptoms. The same goes for changing the dosage without informing the physician.

Indeed, when taking anti-depressants, it is imperative that you cooperate fully with your physician and follow his instructions to the letter. If you notice any side effects, be sure to inform him of them. Never alter your treatment plan without his consent or the repercussions may be severe.

Nausea

The most common side effect of anti-depressants is nausea. This is also one of the most common reasons that people stop taking anti-depressants entirely. It mostly begins a week after beginning the treatment. Oftentimes, all you have to do is to wait for a few weeks for your body to adjust to the treatment regimen, and it will go away on its own.

Some of the things that you can do to cope with the nausea would be to take your meds along with food and to drink plenty of fluids. Unsweetened fruit juices, cold water, and ginger ale (as long as it’s not carbonated) are highly recommended. You could also take an antacid or a bismuth subsalicylate to lessen the nausea. Ask your doctor if you can take the slow-release form of the medications you are taking, as this will ease some of the discomfort. If none of these helps reduce nausea, ask your doctor if the dosage can be lessened.

Increased Appetite and Weight Gain

Women are more prone to depression than men. Women also tend to be more concerned about their appearance than men. But there are also some men who are concerned with their physical appearance. When anti-depressant therapy starts working and brings patients to the point where interest in physical appearance has been regained, they tend to be rather prone to quitting the therapy when they see that they are gaining weight because of it.

One of depression’s symptoms is lack of interest in exercise and excessive lethargy. It also affects the appetite. When the drug starts working, appetite may be regained. Without a corresponding increase in physical activity, weight gain can follow.

Some drugs, particularly Bupropion and some Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors do not cause weight gain as much as the others, so if weight gain is likely to be a concern, ask your doctor if you can take these types of antidepressants instead.

To cope with weight gain, you may try eating healthier foods such as vegetables, grains and fruits. You can ask a dietitian to construct a meal plan for you. Lessen your intake of sweets and carbonated beverages. Avoid eating fast food and foods that are high in fat and cholesterol content. Exercise regularly; not only will this help you lose weight, it will also improve your mood.

Sexual Problems

Intake of anti-depressants may affect sexual performance, decrease desire or reduce libido. More serious side effects include erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation. The strength of a person’s orgasm and his ability to achieve it may also be severely compromised.

These side effects can last as long as you are taking the anti-depressant medication. Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are more likely to cause inability to achieve orgasm or result in delayed orgasm. Tricyclic anti-depressants, on the other hand, are more likely to cause erectile dysfunction.

Ask your doctor if your dosage can be reduced. If not, just schedule your sexual activities before you have to take your anti-depressants. Also, ask your doctor if you could switch to bupropion or mirtazapine, as these are less likely to cause sexually related side effects. If not, you may also ask your doctor for drugs that can treat these side effects directly yet may be used in conjunction with your therapy.

Fatigue and Drowsiness

During the early weeks of your anti-depressant treatment, your body is still getting used to the drugs you are taking. This adjustment period is often coupled with fatigue and some degree of drowsiness.

The best thing that you can do is adjust your schedule so that you have to take your medications before you go to sleep. This will be quite beneficial as it will help ease your sleeping problems. If not, you may comply with your body’s needs and take a nap during the day. Make sure that you avoid any activities like driving or operating any machinery if you feel drowsy or fatigued to prevent an accident.

Insomnia

Some drugs, instead of causing a person to feel drowsy or fatigued, would cause a person to feel rather energized instead. They may induce an energy boost in some people. While this may not necessarily be a bad thing, there are cases when a person would have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, so he is tired during the day.

To cope with insomnia, try taking the medication during the morning to make the energy boost work to your advantage. Also, avoid food and drinks that will have the same effect, such as coffee or carbonated beverages. Avoid substances that have caffeine as this will only worsen sleeplessness. If you absolutely have to take the medications before bedtime, expend excess energy by doing some exercises an hour or two before you go to sleep. If the insomnia is particularly severe, ask your doctor if he can prescribe a sedative for you as well.

Other Side Effects

Other side effects of anti-depressant therapy include dry mucous membranes (particularly in the mouth), blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, anxiety, restlessness, and agitation. Remember to talk to your doctor about these side effects so that they can be properly managed.