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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the side effects of medications prescribed for depression?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health
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    beyondblue

    beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia.beyondblue is a bipartisan initiative of … View Profile

    Like with any medication, some people who take antidepressants to treat their depression also experience side-effects. Many of these side-effects are short-lived and well tolerated; however, people who take antidepressants and experience any of these side-effects should tell their doctor during their reviews. If the side effects are severe, the medication may be inappropriate, please consult your doctor. If mild, the symptoms may well quickly resolve.

    Common side-effects can include: 

    • dry mouth
    • nausea
    • headaches
    • anxiety
    • sweating
    • loss of appetite
    • agitation
    • dizziness
    • sexual difficulties (e.g. difficulty becoming/staying aroused).
    • weight gain
    • difficulties sleeping

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    Dr Raiz Ismail

    Psychiatrist

    Dr. Raiz ISMAIL is a psychiatrist and a fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists . His areas of interest include: depression … View Profile

    Side effects differ from person to person and different anti depressants have different side effects. Interestingly, many patients don't have any side effects or have very minimal tolerable side effects . In the contrary, some patients are very sensitive to medications and have side effects for many anti depressant except one or two. 

    Some anti depressants like Mirtazapine have very unique side effect profile compared to common ones . Similarly, old type anti depressants like Imipiramine, Endep have some unique side effect profile. 

    Therefore it is very difficult to generalize the side effects. Let the GP or the psychiatrist decide which anti depressant is the optimal one for the patient and then they discuss the side effect profile of that perticular medication. 

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