Antidepressant Side Effects - What You Need to Know
By Stan Rogers

Antidepressant side effects can be quite serious for some patients, so it's important to learn about all the potential adverse reactions before taking any medication to treat depression. Although most people only experience a few mild, short-lived problems, these drugs can cause more serious health complications in some patients.

The most common side effects of antidepressants include blurred vision, dry mouth, skin rashes, drowsiness or insomnia, constipation or diarrhea, weight gain or loss, urinary retention, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, nervousness or agitation. More serious, adverse side effects are evidenced by seizures, heart attack, stroke or inflammation and/or toxicity of the liver.

Combining antidepressant drugs can cause death. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) must never be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as it can be a lethal mix. If you are treating your depression by taking MAOIs you also need to avoid smoked, fermented and pickled foods and certain beverages. It is obvious that if you are going to use an antidepressant side effects must be taken into account and you must be aware of all the risks.

For many people, the side effects of antidepressants can be managed by adjusting the dose. If the problem can be treated with a lower dosage, it follows that the negative reactions you may be experiencing will be reduced to some degree. As we mention above, the most common issues tend to resolve themselves after a few days or perhaps a week so keep that in mind. Of course, if it is something that persists or something that you can't tolerate, make sure you speak with your doctor to see if he or she recommends lowering the dosage or perhaps switching to another medication.

Because of all of the potential antidepressant side effects, more and more people are turning to natural options such as 5-HTP, SAMe, ginkgo and other supplements. Some of these have been shown in clinical studies to help alleviate depression, anxiety and stress, and might be a viable alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for some people.

If you are contemplating taking pharmaceutical drugs to alleviate depression, take the time to research the side effects of antidepressants. The information is readily available and you need to be informed before you make a choice involving serious potential risks.

Before deciding on any treatment options, discuss the problem with your doctor. He or she will help you decide if medication is right for you, or if perhaps a natural alternative can help treat your depression.

Stan Rogers is an alternative health researcher and an expert in natural healing. He is a contributor to many health sites, including the Depression Symptoms section of Nutritional Supplements Guide, a site dedicated to natural treatments for various health conditions.