Handling side effects of antidepressant medications
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Handling side effects of antidepressant medications
You can avoid some of the most common side effects of antidepressant medications with these tips. Many side effects go away after a few weeks of treatment as your body adjusts.
| Side effect | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Constipation | Eat cereals and other high-fiber foods (apples, salads, and celery), and drink plenty of fluids. |
| Dizziness | Get up slowly from a lying or sitting position. |
| Drug interaction | Do not use any medications for common illnesses such as the flu or allergies without first speaking with your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other drugs. |
| Dry mouth | Use sugarless gum or candy. Take frequent sips of water throughout the day. |
| Nausea | Eat more frequent, smaller meals rather than large meals. |
| Sleep problems | Avoid caffeine or other stimulants. |
FDA Advisory. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when the doses are changed.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Lila Havens |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
| Last Updated | March 21, 2007 |
| Last updated: | March 21, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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