Three Classes of Antidepressant and Their Possible Side Effects
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios

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Defined Tag: Antidepressant Side Effects.

All antidepressant medication has side effects; although some more than others. The word ‘antidepressant’ actually refers to a wider range of things than medication only, such as therapies and other procedures to alleviate depression, but the side effects of drugs is of greatest concern to sufferers. The use of antidepressants has increased a great deal in recent times; such medication is designed to influence the functioning of the brain’s neurotransmitters as a means to alleviate depression. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are the newer form of these drugs and records seem to show fewer side effects than the older TCAs (TriCyclic Antidepressants) and MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors).

The newer class of antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, include the drugs: Citalopram, Escitalopram Oxalate, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine Maleate, Paroxetine, Sertraline, and Dapoxetine used to treat depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Common side effects of these drugs are that they have a tendency to affect sexual performance by delaying climax, erectile disfunction and loss of libido; although not everyone experiences these effects. Other side effects tend to occur during the first weeks of ingestion of the drug. As the body begins to adapt to the new medication, the sufferer may experience nausea, headaches, anxiety and other similar low level discomfort. These are common.

The Tricyclic class of antidepressant drugs, or TCAs, were originally used in the 1950s and are, therefore, older than the SSRIs which have largely replaced them and have less side effects. The Trycyclic class includes the drugs: Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Dothiepin Hydrochloride, Doxepin, Imipramine, Lofepramine, Nortriptyline, Protriptyline, and Trimipramine. Common side effects of these drugs are a dry mouth, blurred eyesight, constipation, and hyperthermia; additionally, the toxicity level of the drugs is high so there is a danger of overdose which is less of a concern with the newer drugs which are less toxic.

The third class of antidepressants, the Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, or MAOIs, are the more powerful and potentially dangerous class of medication. MAOIs include the drugs: Isocarboxazid, Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Selegiline, Nialamide, Iproniazid, Iproclozide, Toloxatone and many Tryptamines. Newer forms of some of these drugs have made this class safer and less likely to be the last ‘resort’, but earlier versions mixed badly with certain foods and other medicines and could lead to hypertensive crisis.

Whenever taking prescribed medicine it is advisable to talk with a doctor about proper usage and any possible side effects. Antidepressant side effects can be managed or even avoided with the proper advice and guidance.

BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, Amazon, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.