While antidepressants offer immense benefits to those with mental health conditions, they can create unpleasant side effects that can make it harder to stick with treatment. When starting a new medication, always alert your doctor if you have any sudden, negative shifts in mood. In other cases, consider the following guide for tips on how to counteract side effects and how your doctor or pharmacy may be able to help.

5 Antidepressant Side Effects & How to Manage Them

1. Nausea

Nausea is usually a temporary side effect that goes away in a few weeks once the body has adjusted to the medication. To minimize this effect, follow all meal instructions on the label—such as taking the drug with meals. It can also help to eat smaller meals and drink plenty of water throughout the day. If the issue continues, ask your doctor if changing the dosage or switching to a slow-release formula can help.

2. Weight Gain

By increasing appetite and fluid retention, some antidepressants can cause weight gain. In general, the best way to combat this effect is to exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet. If the issue continues, talk to a dietitian or doctor about long-term lifestyle and medication changes that can help prevent weight gain.  

3. Sleep Problems

Individuals starting an antidepressant may feel drowsier throughout the day. In other cases, you might find that these drugs prevent you from getting sleep. If you’re fatigued, talk to your doctor about changing the dosing time to bedtime. If you have insomnia, avoid caffeinated beverages later in the day and consider asking your doctor about switching to a morning dosing time.

4. Dry Mouth

As with many other classes of medication, antidepressants can suppress saliva production and increase the risk of dry mouth. If the problem is minimal, try drinking more water, avoiding caffeine, and chewing on sugar-free gum to keep your mouth moist. You might also ask your pharmacy about mouth sprays that can help promote saliva production. If the problem persists, ask a doctor about alternative treatments or switching to a lower dosage.

5. Sexual Dysfunction

Antidepressants, especially SSRIs, are known to cause a variety of sexual problems—including reduced sex drive, inability to ejaculate, and erectile dysfunction. Since each of these problems is unique to the individual, it’s best to talk to a doctor about prescription solutions that can help—such as sildenafil for men and estrogen cream for women.

Providing medical equipment and health care supplies to Cincinnati, OH residents since 1963, Bernens Medical & Pharmacy has the resources you need to address all medication needs. Through one-on-one counseling, these caring pharmacists can help make sure your taking antidepressants—or any other prescription drug—correctly. They will also partner with your doctor’s office to ensure new prescriptions are filled in a timely and correct fashion. To learn more about their comprehensive resources, visit this full-service pharmacy online. For help filling a prescription, call (513) 471-7575.