Antidepressants
are often used to treat
clinical
depressions
. However, often the number of side
effects associated with anti-depression drugs forces patients to
withdraw depression medication. Although, advancement in research
is reducing the number of adverse reactions of new
anti-depressants, but one cannot rule out complete lack of side
effects. Before going for an anti-depression drug
therapy
, you should be aware of the possible side
effects caused by these drugs.
Types of antidepressants
There are four popular categories of anti-depression drugs –
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), atypical
antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (MAOI).
Side effects of SSRI
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most popular
class of anti-depression drugs currently prescribed by
physicians
. It is believed that depression is
caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. SSRI drugs work by
raising the level of serotonin in the brain, relieving the patient
from depressive mood. Serotonin is believed to control mood swings
of individuals and any decline in its level below normal might be
responsible for depression. Besides regulating moods, serotonin
also regulates digestion, pain and mental clarity. Changing the
level of serotonin with the aid of SSRI might adversely affect a
large number of other body functions.
People on SSRI medication are often found to suffer from sexual
problems, nausea, drowsiness and sleeping difficulties. Often most
of these side effects subside within a few weeks of consumption of
these drugs, but occasionally the side effects might persist,
becoming worse in rare circumstances.
Among patients above 65 years, the possibility of suffering from
bone loss, fractures and risks of fall increases. The withdrawal
syndrome is also severe among the elderly patients when they stop
taking these drugs.
Side effects of atypical antidepressants
The antidepressants belonging to this class works on a number of
neurotransmitters. Depending on the component of the drug, they
might work on an individual brain chemical, such as norepinephrine
or dopamine, or on a group of chemicals including serotonin. The
side effects of this class of drugs might cause nausea, obesity,
drowsiness,
fatigue
, nervousness, dry mouth and blurred
vision
.
Tricyclic antidepressants and MAOI
These medicines are older anti-depression drugs with more severe
side effects than the newer class of antidepressants. They are
prescribed only when the new drugs fail to produce the desired
affect.
The worsening of side effects might even raise suicide risks.
The possibility of suicide is more severe during the first two
months of treatment. If one observes that the level of anxiety,
insomnia and hostility is rising, then the patient should be
provided with immediate medical help.
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