Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog

Side Effects of Pills for Depression

Side Effects of Pills for Depression thumbnail
Side Effects of Pills for Depression

There are a number of different medications that are used to treat depression. Antidepressants are grouped into classes according to how they function. There are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). As with all medications, there are a number of side effects attributed.

  1. Significance

    • Side effects of antidepressants are generally mild and considered to be tolerable. However, the degree and severity of potential side effects depends on the individual, the precise medication and the dosage.

    General Side Effects

    • Common side effects of various depression medications include abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, constipation, decreased libido, dry mouth, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, sedation, sleep disturbances and weight fluctuation.

    SSRIs and SNRIs

    • Frequently prescribed SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Commonly prescribed SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR). Although the above side effects are attributed to these two classes, they're considered to cause the least amount of side effects.

    TCAs

    • Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil, Tofranil-PM), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil) and trimipramine (Surmontil) may be more likely to cause side effects like blurred vision, tremors, sedation and skin disturbances.

    MAOIs

    • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are not as frequently administered as the other classes due to their potential risks. When taking a MAOI like isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Emsam) or tranylcypromin (Parnate), strict diet and medication restrictions must be followed, as the interaction between tyramine--found in aged cheeses and fermented foods--with MAOIs can result in serious blood pressure increases that can lead to a stroke.

Related Searches:

Resources

  • Photo Credit depression-guide.com

You May Also Like

  • Metoprolol Side Effects: Depression

    Metoprolol is the generic name for a prescription medication known as Toprol. Classified as a beta-blocker, Metoprolol is commonly prescribed for high...

  • Depression Pills for Dogs

    Depression Pills for Dogs. In the U.S., dogs suffering from obesity, separation anxiety or even depression can now get some of the...

  • Monoamine Enhancers & Their Effects on Serotonin

    Monoamines are organic compounds found in the brain. The most important members of the monoamine family are the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and...

  • The Side Effects of Co-Codamol Tablets

    Co-codamol is a prescription medication that employs both paracetamol and codeine phosphate as its main ingredients. It is most widely used as...

  • Types of Depression Pills

    More severe and debilitating than a simple bout of "the blues," depression is a chronic condition that requires the attention of a...

  • Side Effects of Depression Drugs

    There are three basic types of drugs for depression---tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). All types ...

  • Side Effects of Anti-Depression Medications

    Doctors prescribe antidepressants to treat depression, typically in combination with psychotherapy. Many types of antidepressants are on the market, and while they...

  • Pills for Diet & Depression

    There is a variety of over the counter pills available for people looking to diet and lose weight. If you have been...

  • Lithium Depression Side Effects

    Lithium is one of many medications used in the treatment of depression. And while it can be an effective treatment, the potential...

  • Ways to Fight Depression Without Pills

    Ways to Fight Depression Without Pills. Hypothyroidism, trauma, childbirth, the short days of winter---these can all trigger depression. With so many causes...

  • Negative Side Effects of Birth Control Pills

    For many women, oral contraceptives seem the safest and most reliable form of birth control. Overall, they do a great job of...

  • Side Effects of Medication for Depression

    Antidepressant medications have a variety of different side effects depending on what type of medication is being taken. There are also a...

  • Side Effects of the Pill Avelox

    Avelox is the brand name of an antibiotic pill called moxifloxacin, used to treat numerous bacterial infections. Moxifloxacin is categorized with the...

  • Long-Term Effects of Depression

    In addition to being debilitating, depression can have long-term effects on your health. Fortunately, treatment of depression has come a long way....

  • Ambien Sleeping Pill Side Effects

    Ambien is a prescription sleep medication used to treat insomnia or difficulty in staying or falling asleep. According to the manufacturer, patients...

  • Side Effects of Yasminelle Pill

    Yasminelle is an oral contraceptive with a low dose of estradiol, a synthetic estrogen, and drospirenone, a synthetic progesterone. Drospirenone is closer...

  • Metoprolol Pill Side Effects

    Metoprolol, the active ingredient in prescription medications such as Lopressor and Toprol XL, is an agent used to treat hypertension, angina, certain...

Related Ads

thumbnail
Featured