A variety of antidepressant medications are available for
prescription use. There is no single best antidepressant, and the best one for
you depends on your symptoms and individual needs.
How are medications selected?
The type of drug prescribed will depend on your symptoms,
the presence of other medical conditions, what other medicines you are taking,
cost of the prescribed treatments, and potential side effects. If you have had
depression before, your doctor will usually prescribe the same medicine that
worked for you in the past. If you have a family history of depression,
medicines that have been effective in treating your family member(s) will be considered.
Usually you will start taking the medicine at a low dose. The
dose will be gradually increased until you start to see an improvement (unless
side effects emerge).
What are the side effects?
The doctor prescribing your medicine will discuss its
potential side effects with you, and will try to prescribe drug(s) with the
least number of side effects for your health condition. Sometimes, more than one
medicine may be tried before the desired benefits are achieved.
You will be monitored closely so that your doctor can detect the
development of harmful side effects and make the necessary changes.
All medications – not just antidepressants - can cause side
effects. So, keep in mind that your doctor prescribes the medication only if its
expected benefits outweigh the risk of side effects. In general, side effects of
antidepressant medications are uncommon, and if they occur, are mild. Some side
effects decrease after you have taken the drug for a while. However, if side
effects do not go away, they will once the drug is stopped. Be sure to discuss
your concerns with your doctor before taking any medicine.
Side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
and noradrenalin serotonin reuptake inhibitors (NSRIs) include:
- Agitation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sexual problems including low sex drive or inability to have an orgasm
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Increased anxiety
- Exhaustion
Side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include:
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Increased fatigue and sleepiness
- Weight gain
- Muscle twitching (tremors)
- Hand shaking
- Constipation
- Bladder problems
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
It is important to remember that the majority of patients taking
antidepressants do not develop side effects; however, some do which requires
careful monitoring of all patients. It is also important to note that you should
not drink alcoholic beverages while taking antidepressant medicines, since
alcohol can interfere with their beneficial effects.