How to manage Side Effects of Medications used for treatment of Depression

September 13, 2020

4 min read

According to the Psychiatric Times, drugs that help to treat the symptoms of depression are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States and Europe, with between 6% and 10% of people being treated with them. Some of these drugs can cause undesirable side effects. Psychiatric Times reports that between 31% and 60% of people who've received antidepressant medications stop taking them because of negative side effects. At least 80% of patients have at least one adverse or undesirable side effect from depression medications. Side effects can be managed, and there are ways to reduce their ill effects while still receiving benefits from anti-depression medication.

Work with your clinician

Some side effects start shortly after taking an antidepressant medication. Your mental health professional or physician can monitor the levels of medication in your blood and adjust your dosage. Adjusting the dosage can help to reduce undesirable side effects and continue the benefits of the medication for you. However, it's important not to stop taking the medication suddenly, even if the side effects seem severe. Always consult your clinician first.

Managing Nausea

Nausea is one of the most common side effects of medication to treat depression. It's often an early symptom when you start taking the antidepressant, and it can grow less over time after your body adjusts. You can help to reduce the nausea by:

Taking the medication with food (unless directed otherwise)
Eating smaller, more frequent meals
Suck on sugar-free candy
Drink water
Pepto-Bismol or antacids can help

You may benefit from a lower dosage of medication or be able to take a time-released form of your medication.

Managing Weight Gain

Some medications for depression can lead to weight gain for a variety of reasons, including increased appetite, fluid retention, or lack of physical activity. If the antidepressant you've been prescribed can cause unwanted weight gain, you should talk with your physician to discuss strategies to reduce the issue.

Ways to reduce unwanted weight gain due to antidepressant medication include:

Eating lower calorie, high nutrition food including fruits and vegetables
Avoiding excess saturated fat and trans fats
Start keeping a food diary and tracking what you eat
Cut back on sugary foods and drinks
Get regular physical activity - at least 30 minutes a day

If you're still gaining weight, work with your provider to find an optimal solution between medication benefits and weight gain.

Managing Tiredness and Drowsiness

Many medications that can treat depression cause fatigue and sleepiness during the day. These problems can lessen over time, but you can cope with them using the following strategies:

Take naps if possible
Get adequate physical activity
Don't drive or operate heavy machinery if you're feeling tired
Take the medication in the evening or at bedtime if possible

Managing Sleeplessness/Insomnia

While some antidepressants make you sleepy, others can have the opposite effect. If you're finding it difficult to sleep, here are some strategies that could help:

Taking the medication in the morning
Avoiding caffeine, especially after 12:00 noon
Get sufficient exercise and physical activity
Consider a medication that could improve sleep if your clinician advises that it's safe.

Coping with Dry Mouth

Many medications that are prescribed for depression cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can harm oral health over time, and it also causes bad breath (halitosis). You can counteract dry mouth with the following strategies:

Sip water throughout the day
Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy
Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine
Avoid mouth breathing
Brush and floss your teeth daily and seek regular dental care
Talk to your physician or your dentist about prescription medications for dry mouth

Reducing Constipation

Tricyclic antidepressants, including Elavil, Tofranil, Sinequan, and Anafranil, are sometimes prescribed for depression, but the way they work can slow down the digestive tract, leading to constipation. You can speed up your digestion and reduce constipation by:

Drinking water
Eating high fiber foods, including vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
Getting regular exercise
Taking a fiber supplement

Stool softeners may also help constipation.

Managing anxiety and restlessness

Depression is sometimes described as a disease of "no movement," and anti-depressants can help with this problem, but also lead to anxiety and restlessness. If you're feeling over-energized when you begin a new medication or start taking an anti-depressant, these strategies may help reduce the problem:

Get regular physical exercise, including biking, hiking, jogging, or aerobics.
Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques

If you experience rapidly-racing thoughts along with lots of energy and inability to sleep, speak with your physician as quickly as possible, because it could be a sign of bipolar disorder.

Improving sex drive and performance

Antidepressants can interfere with sexual desire and performance. Men may have erectile dysfunction (ED) and women may experience reduced sexual desire. Both genders can experience difficulty achieving orgasm. To help manage reduced sex drive and/or ED, the following strategies could help:

Consider timing sex before you take daily medication
Talk with your provider about switching to a medication with fewer sexual side effects
Adjust your sexual routine
Consider medications like Viagra

Don't take over-the-counter herbal sexual supplements. Many of them are ineffective and some may have negative side effects.

If you're experiencing any negative side effects of your anti-depressant medication, don't stop taking the medication before speaking with your mental health provider or family doctor.