Selecting and Managing Antidepressants
Drug Side Effects Continued : Antidepressant Side Effects
SSRIs: Nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, constipation, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, anorexia, sweating, sexual dysfunction, precipitation of mania or hypomania, anticholinergic effects (mainly dry mouth and constipation).
The antidepressants listed below have some unique qualities and side effects:
Venlafaxine (Effexor ®) has similar side effects to SSRIs, but may also cause sweating and has been associated with hypertension. Blood pressure should be monitored during treatment with venlafaxine.
Mirtazapine (Remeron ®) may be sedating (cause drowsiness) at lower doses and can affect the white blood cell count (although rarely). Therefore, it should be used cautiously in patients receiving hepatitis C therapy.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin ®) does not appear to cause sexual dysfunction. Whenever possible, it should not be used in people who are (or may be) at an increased risk for a seizure disorder. Bupropion may also cause agitation and trouble sleeping. This drug is also used to help people stop smoking.
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