Antidepressants may cause mild and often temporary side effects in some people, but usually they are not long-term. However, any unusual reactions or side effects that interfere with normal functioning or are persistent or troublesome should be reported to a doctor immediately.
The most common side effects associated with SSRIs and SNRIs include:
- Headache-usually temporary and will subside.
- Nausea-temporary and usually short-lived.
- Insomnia and nervousness (trouble falling asleep or waking often during the night)-may occur during the first few weeks but often subside over time or if the dose is reduced.
- Agitation (e.g., feeling jittery).
- Sexual problems-women can experience sexual problems including reduced sex drive and problems having and enjoying sex.
Tricyclic antidepressants also can cause side effects including:
- Dry mouth-it is helpful to drink plenty of water, chew gum, and clean teeth daily.
- Constipation-it is helpful to eat more bran cereals, prunes, fruits, and vegetables.
- Bladder problems-emptying the bladder may be difficult, and the urine stream may not be as strong as usual.
- Sexual problems-sexual functioning may change, and side effects are similar to those from SSRIs and SNRIs.
- Blurred vision-often passes soon and usually will not require a new corrective lenses prescription.
- Drowsiness during the day-usually passes soon, but driving or operating heavy machinery should be avoided while drowsiness occurs. These more sedating antidepressants are generally taken at bedtime to help sleep and minimize daytime drowsiness.
