Antidepressants and Side Effects – The Most Comprehensive Guide

You may already know that using antidepressants may pose a risk for side effects, which vary from one drug to another. As with all drugs, some of the side effects are rather typical, and some don’t occur often. With antidepressants, most patients will experience side effects of sorts.

If you’re on antidepressant pills or are just searching for information about them, we’re outlining their side effects in this article, so you can make an informed decision. We’re also showing the alternative of our all-natural way to cure depression, so read on for the details.

What are the most typical adverse effects of antidepressants?

Antidepressants are part of various categories, and each of the drugs in a group presents specific side effects.

SSRIs and SNRIs

Citalopram (Celexa), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Effexor (Venlafaxine), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), and Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) are some of the drugs to name.

The possible adverse effects that patients taking antidepressants from the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)  and SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) categories are listed below:

• Diabetes
• Reduced alertness
• Serotonin syndrome
• SIADH (syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Serotonin syndrome
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Mania or hypomania

Tricyclic and tricyclic-related antidepressants

It includes amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin),  imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor). Protriptyline (Vivactil), doxepin (Sinequan), and trimipramine (Surmontil), amoxapine (Asendin), are also this type of antidepressant.

Keep reading to find out the possible additional reactions when taking medication from this category:

• Tooth decay
• Antimuscarinic effects
• Suicidal thoughts
• Reduced alertness
• Diabetes
• SIADH
• Serotonin syndrome
• Mania or hypomania
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

MAOIs

They are also known as the new antidepressants, with Selegiline (Emsam), Phenelzine (Nardil), and Isocarboxazid (Marplan), as the most common to name. Here are the typical side effects that may occur in some patients (in arbitrary order):

• Serotonin syndrome
• SIADH
• Reduced alertness
• Suicidal thoughts
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

What are the most common side effects?

Antimuscarinic effects

Antimuscarinic reactions, commonly known as anticholinergic effects, refer to results that may happen with several kinds of drugs, but mostly with tricyclic antidepressants.

Here are the possible reactions:

• Confusion and agitation
• Blurred vision
• Hallucination
• Drowsiness
• Difficulty urinating
• Constipation
• Low blood pressure
• High pressure in the eye
• Dry or hot skin, as sweating is reduced
• Trembling
• Fast heartbeat and altered heart rhythm

The reactions may occur as the antidepressants don’t affect just the brain chemicals connected to mood, but also the brain chemicals controlling various functions in the body.

Reduced alertness

People taking antidepressants may feel unable to focus as they cannot stay alert. The side effect can alter the ability to drive, and other tasks requiring specific skills.

Diabetes

Patients over 30, taking tricyclics or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), may end up with diabetes, especially if they have been using them for many years.

Hypomania or mania

Antidepressants may trigger mania or hypomania in some people. The patients may stop taking the medication, and the symptoms may be seen as a sign of the bipolar disorder. Dual-diagnosis is fundamental for the best treatment plan.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Even if the reaction is infrequent, it’s also quite severe. It may appear when taking anti-psychotic drugs (neuroleptics), but may also happen from the antidepressants.

Here are the symptoms of this syndrome:

• Pale skin
• Fast heart rate
• Alterations in the level of consciousness
• Stiffness
• Urinary incontinence
• Sweating
• High temperature

Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome doesn’t occur often, but it can be fatal, so it’s essential to consider it. SSRI, along with antidepressants, like MAOIs, and lithium may lead to serotonin syndrome.

The signs of the serotonin syndrome are as follows:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• High temperature
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea
• Tremors, over-responsive reflexes
• Muscle twitching
• Shivering and sweating
• Agitation, hallucinations, and confusion
• Coma
• High blood pressure and fast heart rate

Unfortunately, the symptoms may occur suddenly, which is why serotonin syndrome is so important to consider.

Sexual problems

SSRI and SNRIs drugs may also lead to sexual problems, such as:

• Spontaneous orgasm or inability to reach orgasm in women. There’s also the possibility of delayed orgasm as side effects.
• Lower sexual desire, delayed ejaculation, lack of orgasm, or failed erection are common side effects in men. Prolonged erection requires immediate medical attention.

Some of the side effects may go on for a very long time, even if you’ve stopped taking the antidepressants.

SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)

Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs may cause SIADH syndrome. The syndrome will make your body produce too much antidiuretic hormone, which makes your body look for water, as your sodium level decreases.

Confusion, convulsions, coma, hallucination, drowsiness, memory problems, falls, and even death are the effects of SIADH syndrome.

Is it possible to compare the various kinds of antidepressants? If so, what’s the best way to do it?

Here are the main criteria to use when making a general idea on antidepressants:

• Type of antidepressant
• Generic name and main characteristics
• The form
• Length of half-life (the time needed for the concentration of a drug in the plasma to be reduced by 50%)
• Dietary information

Why is it necessary to make a comparison between antidepressants?

The more you know about antidepressants, the easier it will be for you to decide on the drug that you will take. Here are the situations where it’s mandatory to do due diligence and gather as much info as you need for making a decision:

• If you don’t like to swallow or you cannot take tablets. For you, a tablet isn’t going to be the right choice.
• If you’ve already had some negative experiences with a type of antidepressants and want to avoid them
• Suppose you have some dietary particularities, such as being vegetarian. Some patients may be intolerant or allergic to specific ingredients.
• For some patients, the half-life of the drug is essential, so make sure you find out all about it.
• Some patients worry about their ability to drive after taking the medication, so they need to avoid the antidepressants that alter the ability to drive cars.

Keep in mind that drugs don’t give everyone the same results, so it may take some trial and error until you find the best choice for you.

Is it safe to consume alcohol while on antidepressants?

Mixing alcohol and antidepressants is rarely a good idea. It may aggravate the depression symptoms, but it can also pose a risk for your overall health.

What may occur when combining alcohol with antidepressants?

Here’s what may happen when you take antidepressants and consume alcohol too:

Aggravating the side effects of other medications

Many medications require patients to avoid alcohol, such as sleep medications, anti-anxiety, and medications for pain. The side effects may get worse when drinking alcohol, on top of your antidepressants.

Increasing depression/anxiety

Consuming alcohol could eliminate the benefits of antidepressants, so your symptoms become more challenging to address. Alcohol can indeed improve your mood for the moment, but it can also increase your depression and anxiety feelings.

Posing a risk for severe reactions

Patients taking MAOIs should never consume alcohol and specific foods, which may cause a severe increase in blood pressure. When you take MAOIs, it’s essential to know what you’re allowed to drink or eat precisely and stay away from alcoholic drinks.

Feelings of drowsiness

Some antidepressants may lead to drowsiness and sedation, and the symptoms get worse if you’re adding alcohol.

Altering the thinking and the alertness

Combining alcohol with antidepressant will alter your coordination, judgment, motor skills, and reaction time. Sometimes, you may feel sleepy and unable to drive or engage in activities that require you to concentrate and pay attention.

Alcohol, addiction & depression- what’s the connection?

It’s never a good idea to stop taking your antidepressants (or any other kind of medication) only to drink. The majority of antidepressants require you to take it regularly daily to control the balance in your brain and get the anticipated results. When you stop taking your meds, the symptoms of your depression can get out of control.

Here are some other aspects to consider:

• When you have depression and consume alcohol, you may also develop an alcohol addiction. There’s a high risk for people with depression to also end up in addiction. If you cannot stop drinking, you may need to seek professional help for your alcohol addiction. Both conditions may worsen if you don’t get treatment, preferably at the same time. Dual-diagnosis is fundamental, and in reputed centers for drug and alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety, or PTSD like the Holistic Sanctuary, the professionals address both conditions simultaneously.
• Some patients with depression develop sleep problems. Alcohol can help you sleep more comfortably, but you may tend to wake up more often throughout the night. You may reach for a sleeping pill, adding more problems to your depression. A whole circle of addiction is created, which only makes the treatment more difficult to develop.

Some patients will seek help at the conventional centers for depression and addiction, but the high rate of relapse makes them look for alternatives. Non-traditional centers like Holistic Sanctuary provide customized treatment, with proprietary protocols for addressing addiction and co-occurring mental health problems such as depression. The procedure is complete and aims to find the deep causes of the addiction and the depression, healing the brain. The center also provides a great variety of natural methods and substances, making no compromises in terms of no-use of medications (antidepressants too).

• Some liquid medications may contain alcohol, so make sure you read the label when taking over-the-counter medications or any supplements.
• As we age, the body will process medication differently, so the level of medicine must be adjusted to what the body needs and handles
• Whenever you take a new medication, you need to adjust another drug’s level and how your body reacts to alcoholic drinks.

Is it true that antidepressants cause weight gain?

Sadly, the majority of antidepressants may cause weight gain. Once again, every patient is different, and the reaction to antidepressants may be different too. Not all patients taking a specific antidepressant will end up with weight gain.

Which antidepressants cause weight gain?

However, some of the antidepressants out there will cause weight gain more often than others:

• Some MAOIs, such as Nardil/phenelzine
• Specific tricylic anti-depressants such as imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin, and amitriptyline
• Paroxetine (Pexeva, Paxil), which is an SSRI
• Remeron (mirtazapine), which isn’t a common antidepressant, doesn’t fit any of the previous categories of antidepressants.

Which factors contribute to weight gain from antidepressants?

Even if some patients notice weight gain after antidepressants, they may not always be the direct cause. Some factors will also lead to weight gain when on treatment with antidepressants:

• Some patients lose weight on the cause of their depression. As antidepressants may increase the appetite, it makes sense that the patients will gain weight too. 
• People with depression may overeat or not develop any physical activity, which leads to weight gain.
• It’s common for adults to gain weight as they age, no matter the type of medication.

Should you notice weight gain after starting an antidepressant, you should talk to your doctor about the benefits vs. Side effects. When the advantages are more than the downsides, you may control the weight by switching to a healthier diet. You may also develop more physical activities so that you keep your weight under control.

Many centers for depression would provide access to the gym, spa, and healthy food for the patients. At The Holistic Sanctuary, though, patients switch to a raw, plant-based, vegan, non-GMO, and organic diet to get the healthiest nutrients and heal from depression. They also engage in physical activities, yoga, meditating and walking to give the body the positive energy it needs for recovery.

Should patients worry about antidepressant withdrawal? Do the withdrawal symptoms reveal an addiction to antidepressants?

If you stop taking your antidepressants all of a sudden, the risk for antidepressants withdrawal is quite high, especially if you’ve been taking it for more than six weeks.

The antidepressant discontinuation syndrome may span for a couple of weeks, and some antidepressants pose a high risk for the withdrawal symptoms.

Suddenly stopping from taking antidepressants may cause one or two of the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Vivid dreams or insomnia
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Achy muscles, chills, and symptoms similar to flu
• The comeback of the depression symptoms
• Electric shock sensations

Is it possible for a patient to avoid withdrawal symptoms? How?

Just because you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms doesn’t mean that you’re addicted to your medication. Addiction causes chemical changes in the brain that last for a long time, so the treatment is so challenging to give results. On the side note, at alternative centers for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and so on, like Holistic Sanctuary, the treatment aims to take the brain to the pre-addicted state. GABA repairs, Myers cocktails, mitochondria repair protocol, and sacred plant medicine are some of the therapies used for taking the brain to the pre-addicted stage.

You should always tell your doctor if you’re planning to stop taking your antidepressants. The doctor will probably suggest to gradually lower your dose of medication throughout several weeks so that your body adjusts to the lack of drugs. He/she may also recommend another antidepressant for a short amount of time to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.

It’s not always easy to differentiate between withdrawal symptoms and the return of the depression symptoms after you no longer take your medication. You should still communicate with your doctor about the signs and symptoms so that proper treatment is provided.

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Does it happen to patients to notice that the antidepressants no longer work?

Even if your depression symptoms improve after you begin taking antidepressants, you shouldn’t stop the treatment.

There’s also the category of people who no longer have results after taking a specific antidepressant for a long time. Currently, doctors don’t explain the antidepressant tolerance, and why only some of the patients develop the resistance.

What factors contribute to the lack of results of the antidepressants?

Some aspects will alter the efficiency of the medication, so keep reading for the details.

• A secondary medical problem, such as hypothyroidism, may worsen the symptoms. Therefore, the antidepressants no longer give results.
• Aggravation of the depression. Sometimes, the depression symptoms will worsen or simply come back after some time. Stress or no apparent reason may cause breakthrough depression, rending the current treatment to be useless.
• Undiagnosed bipolar disorder, commonly known as the manic-depressive disorder, leads to constant mood swings. Antidepressants may be used for bipolar disorder, but they’re not enough for treatment. Mood-stabilizing or anti-psychotic medication is also needed for controlling the emotional high and lows.
• New medication may also affect the way your body reacts to antidepressants, typically reducing efficiency.
• Age. As we age, the body may not respond to medication the same way it used to. Aging also alters thinking, changing the mood. The way the body processes the drugs also modifies as we age, as the body will need higher doses for getting results.

Most of the time, adjustments to medication will make the antidepressants work once again. The doctor may change the dose of the current antidepressant, add another one, or simply switch you to a new antidepressant.

As you can see, many factors impact the efficiency of antidepressants, so it’s essential to see your doctor when you no longer see results.

Is there a risk for the antidepressants to modify the patient’s personality in any way?

For many years, medical professionals believed that antidepressants don’t modify the personality of the patient. However, recent studies suggest that some antidepressants may alter one’s character for a long time, even if the changes are for the better.

It seems that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) will become more outgoing, experience positive emotions more often, and become emotionally stable for a longer time.

The results push the doctors to develop a new model for how the antidepressants work. It’s believed that antidepressant work because they can also correct fundamental risk factors of depression.

Patients on Paxil, for example, notice that they feel more outgoing, less stressed, full of energy, and self-confident. But the recent studies suggest that it’s not because they are less depressed, but because the antidepressants modify two fundamental personality traits connected to depression: extraversion and neuroticism.

Antidepressant may modify the patient’s personality, even if the changes are for the better. As the personality shifts, the lower the risk for relapse becomes, which is good news for the depression patients.

Should pregnant women or who are breastfeeding take or stop their treatment with antidepressants?

Pregnancy is a wonderful and challenging time in life, especially if you’re dealing with depression or other mental health conditions.

Some women may get pregnant as they’re already on antidepressants, or can be recommended to start treatment for a problem they develop while pregnant. Some women may also deal with postnatal depression (PND), so antidepressants are also prescribed.

No matter the case for you, you should also talk to your GP to see the risks and options you have for treating your depression while pregnant/breastfeeding.

What risks do antidepressants pose for pregnant women/women who breastfeed?

There are significant risks to consider when taking antidepressants, so keep reading for the details:

• Higher risk of premature birth or even miscarriage
• Possible congenital disabilities. Studies revealed that SSRIs in early pregnancy raise the baby’s risk of developing spina bifida, heart defects, and cleft lip.
• When breastfeeding, the antidepressants will also get to the baby through breast milk. The amount may be high enough to cause side effects in the baby.
• Newborns may experience withdrawal symptoms if the mother takes antidepressants in late pregnancy. Fast heartbeat, muscle spasms, sleeplessness, fits, fever, and irritability may occur when the mother takes tricyclics. Poor muscle tone, difficult breathing, inability to cry loud, low blood sugar, and high blood pressure in the lungs are typical withdrawal symptoms from SNRIs and SSRIs.
• Unknown risks. Antidepressants aren’t commonly tested in pregnant women, so it’s challenging to know the side effects in newborns in new drugs.

All in all, the risks are higher in the first trimester of the pregnancy and the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, when the newborn is more sensitive to changes.

Can antidepressants help in treatment for COVID-19?

Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant from the SSRI category, and it’s typically prescribed for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Currently, scientists believe that the antidepressant may be effective against the “cytokine storm,” when the immune system is exaggerated and produces too many immune cell mediators (cytokine), as a response to COVID-19. The exacerbated immune response cause organ failure and even death, which are typical for some COVID-19 patients.

As they’re continually trying to find treatment (working against the clock), researchers found that fluvoxamine could work for COVID patients. The drug decreases the production of cytokines in patients with sepsis. The treatment has a high chance of being both productive and safe, not to mention that it’s also really affordable. The clinical trials are more than encouraging, especially if we take a look at safety and costs.

Additionally, the drug could also be used to treat other inflammatory conditions where cytokine storms occur, causing sepsis.

One significant part about the drug is that it is on the market for years, so it doesn’t pose any risks in terms of safety.

Utilizing antidepressants for treating COVID-19 may sound peculiar, but it’s the same as particular as using a drug for malaria. Fluvoxamine is efficient and can be the best shot for recovery for patients with COVID-19. The drug has already been approved for clinical use in the UK, and it works by controlling the level of specific chemicals (serotonin) in the brain.

People should still take the news with a grain of salt, as discovery on COVID-19 is even made every day. Also, patients should pay attention to the side effects, which are typical for many antidepressants. Dry mouth, nausea, headaches, appetite changes, and constipation are some of the side effects to mention.

Are antidepressants the only option for the treatment of depression?

Antidepressants may be the most common choice, but they’re not necessarily the most effective option. More and more patients look for alternatives, as conventional treatment with antidepressants often leads to relapse.

Mindfulness, arts therapies, eco-therapy, and complementary therapies are convenient alternatives to antidepressants.

For example, at the Holistic Sanctuary, we take a comprehensive approach to depression, using holistic all-natural methods. HBOT therapy, ozone therapy, or proprietary IV drips, sacred plant medicine, proprietary chakra rebalancing, acupuncture, or meditation are some of the many treatments used for patients with depression.

Patients with addictions will benefit from a natural detox, with sacred plant medicine as the primary method for cleaning the body. The innovative and proprietary protocols at the Holistic Sanctuary are the source of fantastic results in our patients. Read more about our 100% holistic depression treatment.

Can ayurvedic herbs sustain the treatment for depression?

Ayurvedic herbs may not cure depression 100%, but they will definitely slow down and calm the patients. These herbs will heal the body in different ways.

When a patient is depressed, the feel-good hormones cannot handle life efficiently, altering the mood. Ayurvedic herbs and spices will alleviate the symptoms of depression, improving the efficiency of your treatment.

Ashwagandha contains active compounds that ensure anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant abilities, relieving depression, and anxiety. The list of ayurvedic herbs working for people with depression also includes Maca (Peruvian ginseng), Pudina (peppermint), Jatamansi (Spikenard), and Brahmi. Each of them has properties that reduce stress, alleviate insomnia and sleep disorders, and even cure the nervous system.

FAQs

Q: Do antidepressants make you forget about your problems?

A: Truth be told, antidepressants will not make you erase from your mind your problems completely. However, they will affect the way you deal with them. When you’re depressed, your perception is altered, and you may see your problems more significant than they indeed are. People taking antidepressants will change their perspective on life and become able to handle their issues more accessible.

Q: Is it a sign of weakness to take antidepressants?

A: Depression is defined as a chronic condition, so taking the proper medication for it will give results. People with depression cannot get better by merely wanting it, as the chemical imbalances in the brain cannot be solved with your own will. On the contrary, it’s instead a sign of strength that one is determined to get professional help for depression. However, there is a better alternative to pill-taking.

Q: Do antidepressants raise the risk of suicide?

A: For some time now, more studies show that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors in children, young adults, and adolescents. In 2009, a survey of 100,000 people revealed that children and young adults had a higher risk of suicidal thoughts when taking antidepressants.

When the patient is severely depressed, the motivation and energy levels are deficient, and the antidepressants can change that. Some professionals think that the antidepressants may give the patient the energy to act on suicidal thoughts, especially in the early stages of the treatment.

On the other hand, professionals think that specific antidepressants will cause suicidal thoughts and urges directly. SSRIs pose the highest risk, but several studies suggest that the risk for suicide is present for all antidepressants.

Q: When should you take the antidepressant?

A: Most patients take their antidepressants in the morning, as it’s easier to include it in your daily routine. If your antidepressant makes you feel tired or drowsy, it’s better to take it at night before going to sleep.

Q: Can antidepressants cause tooth decay?

A: Medications making your mouth dry will also cause tooth decay, especially if you take it for a long time. It’s the case of some antidepressants, with tricyclic antidepressants posing a higher risk for tooth decay.