What should I know about Anti-Depressants?

Anti-Depressant drugs also called as antidepressants are medicines that relieve symptoms of mental depression. They are used to treat serious, continuing mental depression that interferes with a person's ability to function. Everyone feels sad, or discouraged occasionally, but usually those feelings do not interfere with everyday life and do not need treatment. However, when the feelings become overwhelming and last for weeks or months, professional treatment can help. Although depression is one of the most common and serious mental disorders, it is also one of the most treatable.

Anti-Depressant drugs help reduce the extreme sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in life that are typical in people with depression. These drugs may also be used to treat other conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual syndrome, chronic pain, and eating disorders.

All antidepressant drugs are effective, but certain types work best for certain kinds of depression. For example, people who are depressed and agitated do best when they take an antidepressant drug. People who are depressed and withdrawn may benefit more from an antidepressant drug that has a stimulating effect.

What precautions do I need to take for Anti-Depressants?

While antidepressant drugs help people feel better, they cannot solve problems in people's lives. Some mental health professionals worry that people who could benefit from psychotherapy rely instead on antidepressant drugs for a quick fix. Others point out that the drugs work gradually and do not produce instant happiness. The best approach is often a combination of counseling and medicine, but the correct treatment for a specific patient depends on many factors. The decision of how to treat depression or other conditions that may respond to antidepressant drugs should be made carefully and will be different for different people.

Always take antidepressant drugs exactly as directed. Never take larger or more frequent doses, and do not take the drug for longer than directed. Most antidepressant drugs do not begin working right away. The effects may not be felt for several weeks. Continuing to take the medicine is important, even if it does not seem to be working at first.

What are the likely side effects of Anti-depressants?

Some of the various side effects from the different antidepressants are:

• Dry mouth
• Urinary retention
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Sedation
• Sleep disruption
• Weight gain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Gastrointestinal disturbance/diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Inability to achieve an erection
• Inability to achieve an orgasm (men and women)
• Loss of libido
• Agitation
• Anxiety

What are the likely drug interactions of Anti-Depressants?

Anti-Depressant drugs may interact with a variety of other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Some interactions may be life-threatening. Anyone who takes antidepressant drugs should let the physician know all other medicines he or she is taking.