Antidepressants, aka “happy” pill, go to work on your brain’s chemistry. As the name indicates, these drugs are primarily used to treat depression.
Although science has not specifically determined what causes depression, some sort of chemical imbalance is the predominant medical theory. As such, prescribe a drug that affects the brain’s chemistry and end up with a less depressed society.
As with most drugs, antidepressants included, they can cause side effects. Some of the more common ones include:
- nausea
- anxiety
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- insomnia
- tiredness
- weakness
- dry mouth
- weight gain
- constipation
- hand tremors
- bladder issues
- blurred vision
- muscle twitching
- sexual dysfunction
- increased heart rate
- daytime drowsiness
- dizziness when standing up
You may notice that some of these antidepressant side effects seem to mimic those of the condition they’re targeted to treat. In that you would be correct, but aren’t you happier and more energetic about the whole thing?
In 2005, the FDA began requiring a warning label on all antidepressant medications regarding the increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents on antidepressants. A couple of years later young adults were an added age group to this warning.
To avoid withdrawal effects of antidepressant you are encouraged not to stop taking them suddenly. Once your body has adapted to your happy pill, quitting can make you feel like you have the flu. You may experience:
Paxil and Prozac are in a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are not considered “addictive” drugs. But if you abruptly stop taking them, or even miss a few doses, it can cause some very unpleasant withdrawal (pharmaceutical companies refer to as discontinuation) symptoms.
Specific potential sudden withdrawal symptoms from SSRI Paxil include:
- anxiety
- nausea
- sweating
- dizziness
- headache
- tiredness
- irritability
- confusion
- depression
- mood changes
- unusual dreams
- frenzied, abnormally excited mood
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- numbness, tingling in arms, legs, hands, feet
Specific potential sudden withdrawal effects from SSRI Prozac include:
- anxiety
- agitation
- dizziness
- headache
- tiredness
- irritability
- confusion
- mood changes
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
With all havoc that antidepressants can wreak, seems they should be prescribed as the last resort rather than the first. You do have a voice in your treatment program, so take your time and give great consideration before you decide to pop your first happy pill.
Antidepressants definitely play an essential role in some lives, but 170 million. Hmmm!
