Antidepressant Side Effects: Withdrawal and Stopping Your Medication
Each individual has their own, unique combination of responses to antidepressant medication. Understanding the most common antidepressant side effects can help you choose your ideal treatment.
Read on to learn what adverse effects to watch out for with different antidepressants. Then review the side effects of antidepressant withdrawal that may occur if you stop taking your medication abruptly.
Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
All antidepressants are known to cause some adverse effects, though most are mild, and many of them are tolerable. Still, side effects can cause individuals to stop their treatment. Individual reactions to a particular antidepressant may vary, ranging from one or two adverse effects to several. Awareness and careful choice of medication can help avoid the most bothersome effects.
While weight gain is one of the most common antidepressant side effects, weight loss can also occur. Both bupropion and sertraline can impact an individual’s appetite, resulting in weight loss when not dieting. Most antidepressants also have some adverse effect on sexual functioning, though bupropion, mirtazapine, and agomelatine are exceptions with low functional interference.
Common Potential Side Effects of Antidepressants Include:
Anxiety.
Nausea.
Constipation.
Tiredness.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Blurred vision.
Sweating.
Weight gain.
Sleep disturbance.
Dry mouth.
Sexual dysfunction.
Adverse Effects: What to Watch Out For
Many side effects from antidepressants are mild and tolerable, especially when compared to symptoms of untreated depression. However, some can be severe or affect your quality of life. Because there are so many helpful medication treatments for depression, you can make a well-informed choice about medication that suits your needs.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants have the most significant side effect profile of all medications used to treat depression. However, they are still effective and may be an option for someone who doesn’t respond to other antidepressants. Some of the most common tricyclic antidepressant side effects include constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness, and increased appetite that may lead to weight gain.
SSRI Antidepressants
SSRI antidepressants are the most prescribed type of antidepressant medication today. Not only is their efficacy similar to tricyclics, but also they are among the antidepressants with the least side effects. Despite this advantage, some individuals experience headaches, sexual dysfunction, and heartbeat abnormalities. Citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are both well-tolerated treatments.
SNRI Antidepressants
SNRI antidepressants have similar efficacy and side effects as SSRIs. However, the adverse effects are less severe, making them more tolerable for individuals with sensitivities.
Atypical Antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants impact neural activity in the brain in diverse ways, resulting in various side effects not shared by all medications in this group. For those using atypical antidepressants, sexual side effects may occur less frequently. However, individuals may experience weight gain, insomnia, dry mouth, or dizziness.
Long-Term Side Effects
The most challenging long-term side effects of antidepressants include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disturbance. These effects are common and tend to persist, though each medication will affect each individual in unique ways.
What if You Stop Taking Your Medication?
Consistently taking your medication will help you get the best results from your treatment. But once in a while, you may end up forgetting or missing an antidepressant dose. Side effects can emerge when you stop your treatment, so understanding the potential impacts is essential.
Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
About 20% of individuals who stop suddenly may develop antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. This reaction includes several side effects that may begin within days of stoppage and last for a few weeks.
Your reaction may be more intense if your medication has a shorter half-life or if you have taken it for a longer duration. Discontinuation syndrome is more likely with short-acting SSRIs such as paroxetine (Cymbalta) and SNRIs such as venlafaxine (Effexor). Long-acting medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac) are less likely to cause these effects.
Taking them for a longer duration increases the chance of this reaction. Also, the type you use, the dosage, and how long you take it.
Side Effects of Stopping Antidepressants Can Include:
Flu-like symptoms: lethargy, fatigue, achiness, headache.
Insomnia vivid dreams.
Balance issues: dizziness, vertigo.
Sensory disturbances: tingling, burning feelings, shock-like sensations.
Hyperarousal: anxiety, irritability, agitation, aggression.
Antidepressant Adverse Effects: Making an Informed Choice
With a thorough understanding of side effects of antidepressants, you can limit your exposure to adverse effects while still achieving symptom relief. Each medication has its benefits and drawbacks, and understanding adverse effects helps you make an informed choice.