RxSideEffect.org: The effects of drugs vary depending upon the drug taken

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Like most medicines, antidepressants can cause side effects. These unwanted effects are often mild, but sometimes they are more serious and can have a major impact on health or quality of life. Most of modern antidepressants are very well tolerated and only rarely cause serious side effects. The most common side effects of drugs can vary depending upon the kind of drug taken, how much is taken, how often it is used, how quickly it gets to the brain, and what other drugs, food, or substances are taken at the same time. Effects can also vary based on the differences in body size, shape, and chemistry. Antidepressant drugs differ in how commonly they cause particular side effects. Medications are prescribed for a specific purpose, and anything else the drug does is a side effect. Some side effects are mild, like a slight headache. Others, like liver damage, can be severe and, in rare cases, fatal. Some go on for just a few days or weeks, but others might continue as long as you take a medication, or even after you stop. Some occur within days or weeks of starting a drug. Others may only show up after months or years of therapy.

Learning the facts about antidepressants and weighing the benefits against the risks can help you make an informed and personal decision about what’s right for you. All antidepressants have some side-effects. Some side-effects, such as feeling sick and anxiety, are more common in the first week or two of treatment and often get better. Taking certain antidepressants can slow down your reaction speeds and affect activities that require concentration, such as driving. Ask your doctor whether it’s safe for you to drive while taking your medicine. Although SSRIs have some side-effects, they are generally less troublesome than those of other antidepressants and so are prescribed most often.

Once you’ve started taking antidepressants, stopping can be tough. Many people have severe withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult to get off of the medication. If you decide to stop taking antidepressants, it’s essential to consult a doctor and taper off slowly. If you stop abruptly, you may experience a number of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as crying spells, extreme restlessness, dizziness, fatigue, and aches and pains.