Important Information about
Antidepressant Side Effects

The list of antidepressant side effects is long and not very desirable. This doesn’t mean that antidepressants haven't earned their place in the treatment of severe depression and that in fact have saved many lives.

Unfortunately, the increasing use of antidepressants amongst children and young adults in an indiscriminate manner is adding a heavy toll on a problem that is already very complicated.

Take a look at what other people are saying about using antidepressants.

FDA Warning on Antidepressants

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed a study of the side effects of antidepressants in nearly 4,000 children and teens. The study demonstrated that 4% of those who were taking the antidepressants had thoughts of suicide, compared to a 2% of those who were receiving placebos.

In 2005 this information forced the FDA to adopt a warning label ("black box") on all antidepressant medications. The aim of this warning was to alert the public about the possible risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts to commit suicide in children and teenagers while taking antidepressants.

A "black box" warning is the most serious warning on drug labeling.

The most important aspect of this warning label is that children, teens and young adults must be closely monitored while they are taking any kind of antidepressant medicine. This is especially important during the first stage of the treatment.

Keep your eyes open for any unusual reactions to the antidepressants and report them your doctor immediately!

Most Common Side effects

Here is a list of the most common side effects associated with SSRIs and SNRIs:

• Temporary nausea

• Headache, especially at the beginning of the treatment

• Insomnia and nervousness

• Sexual problems (erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive)

The antidepressant side effects associated with Tricyclic include:

• Drowsiness

• Bladder problems

• Dry mouth

• Constipation

• Sexual problems

Antidepressant medications can be very helpful for many people suffering from major depression disorders but its use involve a long list of undesirable side effects.

If you are suffering from a mild depression, evaluate with your doctor different treatments for depression. Cognitive Therapy is a very successful approach that does not involve prescribed medication.

In recent years, the use of antidepressants has been so generalized that even young kids that don’t necessarily require antidepressants are taking them without restriction.



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