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Side Effects of Antidepressants

For many people, the side effects of antidepressants are minor and temporary in most cases. These side effects may vary, depending on which type of antidepressant you are taking. For example, newer medications may cause headaches or sexual problems, while tricyclic antidepressants may cause dry mouth or confusion. Any unusual antidepressant side effects or reactions should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately, such as panic attacks, chest pain, or hallucinations.

 

Antidepressants Side Effects: An Overview

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with antidepressants. However, not everyone who takes an antidepressant will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate them well. When side effects do occur, they are usually minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. They are also usually temporary, albeit annoying. However, any unusual reactions or side effects -- or those side effects that interfere with functioning -- should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. Some side effects of antidepressants can be quite serious.
  
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with antidepressants. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of antidepressant side effects with you. You can also search eMedTV for the specific side effects with each type of antidepressant by clicking Types of Antidepressants.)
 

Side Effects of SSRIs and Other Newer Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) generally have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). However, the newer antidepressants do have some potential side effects. Some of these newer antidepressant side effects include:
 
(Click SSRI Side Effects or SNRI Side Effects for more information.)
 
(Side Effects of Antidepressants Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;