Antidepressant Side Effects

"The most common side effects listed by the FDA include:

"Nausea and vomiting
"Weight gain
"Diarrhea
"Sleepiness
"Sexual problems

"Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worsening, or worry you(U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2011):

"Thoughts about suicide or dying
"Attempts to commit suicide
"New or worsening depression
"New or worsening anxiety
"Feeling very agitated or restless
"Panic attacks
"Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
"New or worsening irritability
"Acting aggressively, being angry, or violent
"Acting on dangerous impulses
"An extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
"Other unusual changes in behavior or mood

"Combining the newer SSRI or SNRI antidepressants with one of the commonly-used "triptan" medications used to treat migraine headaches could cause a life-threatening illness called "serotonin syndrome." A person with serotonin syndrome may be agitated, have hallucinations (see or hear things that are not real), have a high temperature, or have unusual blood pressure changes. Serotonin syndrome is usually associated with the older antidepressants called MAOIs, but it can happen with the newer antidepressants as well, if they are mixed with the wrong medications. For more information, please see the FDA Medication Guide on Antidepressant Medicines

"Antidepressants may cause other side effects that were not included in this list. To report any serious adverse effects associated with the use of antidepressant medicines, please contact the FDA MedWatch program using the contact information at the bottom of this page. For more information about the risks and side effects for each medication, please see Drugs@FDA."