One of the most frequent reasons people decide to stop taking their antidepressant medication is because they experience side effects. Sometimes side effects of antidepressants are quite minor and time-limited, however, if a person isn’t prepared for the possibility of side effects they may take this as a sign they can’t tolerate the antidepressant. It is important to be educated and know the potentials. This article will discuss common antidepressant side effects, and differentiate between the ones that will go away from those that will last for the duration of time on the medication. I will also review 4 dangerous antidepressant medication side effects that, although uncommon, are important to know about.
Antidepressant side effects:
The list of potential side effects on any medication is nearly infinite so it isn’t practical to list every one like they do on television medication commercials (where possible side effects are happily rattled off and always seem to include death).
But it is essential for someone about to start an antidepressant to get information on common side effects and rare dangerous ones. This allows people to be prepared, and have the ability to make an informed decision about taking medication.
Side note:
This post is only referencing side effects on “newer” antidepressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI’s) and not talking about tricyclic antidepressants (TCA’s) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOi’s). The TCA’s and MAOi’s are older antidepressants with different side effect possibilities. They are used less frequently because they have more nuisance side effects and potential dangerous ones.
Common antidepressant side effects that will go away:
There are a whole host of potentially annoying and unpleasant side effects that can occur on antidepressants. Usually, the majority of side effects occur during the first 2 weeks of treatment. Generally, these are mild nuisance side effects and are not medically dangerous. Most people don’t get any of these side effects! Read more in my previous post: 8 Facts About Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
Examples of possible initial side effects of antidepressants:
- Nausea,
- Headache,
- Activation,
- Insomnia
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
Knowing these side effects generally don’t last more than 2 weeks (and more commonly they last 1-2 days) can make it easier to stick with the treatment. These side effects should be mild and will disappear if a person gives it time.
Occasionally, some of the nuisance side effects will continue (for example constipation or dry mouth). Side effects will need to be weighed against the benefits to decide if it is worth it to remain on the medication.
3 Side effects of antidepressants that won’t go away while on the medication:
1. Sexual dysfunction:
If you get sexual side effects they are likely to continue for the remainder of treatment. Read all about these side effects in my article: Sexual Side Effects on Antidepressants: They are common!
2. Excessive sweating:
This usually happens at nighttime but some people experience this during the day too. It is an unpleasant side effect that can be embarrassing and intolerable and remain for the duration of treatment.
3. Weight gain:
Most newer antidepressants are considered “weight-neutral” but this doesn’t mean that people don’t gain weight. Paroxetine (Paxil) and mirtazapine (Remeron) have some of the highest risks of weight gain. But for other medications, it is less predictable and more of an individual response to the medication.
4 Dangerous side effects of antidepressants:
This is not an exhaustive list of potential dangerous side effects on antidepressants but covers 4 side effects that are important to be aware of.
1. Low blood sodium, called hyponatremia:
An uncommon side effect that is part of a condition called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Hyponatremia can be life-threatening. The complications from low sodium (depending on how low it gets and how fast it gets there) can be serious and include delirium (confusion), seizure, or even death.
Someone who has hyponatremia may feel weak, nauseous, confused, and be vomiting. In extreme cases, they could be unresponsive and have a seizure. Elderly patients who are starting antidepressant treatment appear to be at higher risk for this side effect. Read more about SIADH hyponatremia.
2. Serotonin Syndrome:
This is a rare and tricky condition that results from excess serotonin in one’s body. Generally, serotonin syndrome presents within 24 hours of starting a medication or changing a therapy that causes increased serotonin. Although it happens more commonly at the beginning it can also begin further into treatment triggered when someone takes multiple agents that all increase serotonin. Read more how to recognize and treat serotonin syndrome.
3. Reduced blood clotting:
The neurotransmitter serotonin, an important target for the treatment of depression, is also involved in our bodies ability to form clots. A rare side effect of antidepressants is reduced blood clotting capacity. This is caused by a decrease in the concentration of serotonin in platelets (the cells that help form the clot). This risk can slightly increase a person’s chance for internal bleeding. The risk can be higher if a person is also on aspirin or medications like ibuprofen (NSAIDs).
4. Akathesia:
Akathesia is a feeling of extreme inner restlessness or severe agitation and can be so bad that it can actually increase a person’s risk for suicide! There are treatments available for akathesia that can make it go away relatively quickly so make sure to contact your physician right away. Read more about akathesia.
Be prepared for antidepressant medication side effects to have better success:
If people are prepared about what to expect with side effects, including how long they will last, most find it easier to tolerate them. Ideally, the side effects will be worth getting past to see if the medication can successfully resolve the symptoms a person is struggling with.
For more information on depression treatment and antidepressants read these posts:
6 Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing an Antidepressant
2 Reasons Your Antidepressant Medication Doesn’t Work
11 Effective Interventions for Depression
Effects of Antidepressant Medications: How Do You Know if it is Working?
Will You Have Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms?
Journal Prompts For Depression and Anxiety
Light Therapy for Seasonal Depression: What works?
Suicide Prevention Plan: 5 Tips to Deal With Thoughts of Suicide
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