How much can you take antidepressants. Taking antidepressants and the main mistakes of patients. Can I drink alcohol while taking antidepressants?

Antidepressants are medications that, along with other therapeutic methods, are used in the treatment of various types of depression. When we are dealing with antidepressants, it is quite difficult to assess how effective a particular drug is for a given patient, since these drugs begin to work some time after the start of therapy. In most cases, you need to take the drug for four to six weeks before it starts to work. When the antidepressant begins to work, you may notice some side effects, and after a while the positive effect of the drug will also appear: you will feel a surge of strength and energy and become more positive about life. If the prescribed antidepressant does not work or causes too many side effects, the doctor may change the drug and adjust the treatment plan. To date, doctors most often prescribe antidepressants as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), as well as relatively old drugs - tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants. Your healthcare provider will see if the prescribed treatment regimen works for you and recommend alternative treatments depending on your condition.

Attention: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Before using any medications, consult your doctor.

Steps

Identify signs that your treatment is working

Be patient. Be prepared in advance for the fact that it will take time to find antidepressants (or a combination of drugs) that will be effective in your case. Often you have to change several drugs until you can find the right one. In addition, you need to take drugs for quite a long time (from four to six weeks) so that they begin to have a noticeable effect on a person's condition.

Watch your condition improve. Keep a diary to describe your symptoms daily. If before treatment you had a feeling that the future was bleak and hopeless, try to notice how your attitude towards the future has changed two weeks after starting a course of antidepressants. If you have had the feeling that you are doing everything slowly and having difficulty concentrating on tasks, check to see if these symptoms have changed under the influence of treatment.

Pay attention to positive changes. If you begin to feel more energized during the day or less pessimistic about life, this is an indicator that your antidepressants are starting to work. If you notice an improvement in your well-being two to six weeks after starting treatment, this is a very good sign.

Pay attention to side effects. Antidepressants work to reduce the symptoms of depression, but like any other medication, they have side effects. Therefore, you need to pay attention to both the improvement in your condition and the side effects that may result from taking the drug. Although new generation antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have far fewer side effects than previous generation drugs, various unwanted symptoms occur quite often during treatment. Side effects include decreased sex drive, dry mouth, nausea, sleep disturbance, anxiety and restlessness, weight gain, drowsiness, and constipation and diarrhea. In most cases, side effects appear before the therapeutic effect from taking the drug develops. Thus, if you pay attention to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms, this may be a signal that the drug is starting to work. However, you need to tell your doctor if you have any side effects.

Look for signs that antidepressants are not working as intended. It is extremely important to monitor your condition in order to notice in time that the prescribed treatment is ineffective. There are quite a few signs that can help you determine if your prescribed antidepressant is not right for you. Particular attention should be paid to sudden, causeless mood swings, the appearance of suicidal thoughts, as well as an increase in the overall level of energy, accompanied by a depressed emotional state. Below are some of the symptoms that indicate that the prescribed treatment regimen is not suitable for you.

Record your mood in the CBT Self-Help Guide app. This is a mobile diary application where you can track how you perceive and react to the events that occur during the day. You need to write down in a diary information about the events of your life, the mood associated with them and the intensity of emotions. This will help you monitor your symptoms of depression while taking antidepressants. If you start using this app before your treatment, you can use it to see if your mood has improved since starting medication. Unfortunately, this app is currently only available in English.

Install the MoodKit app (in English). This app will help you track your mood and learn about different activities to improve your mood. This application will be useful for people with mild manifestations of depression, but is unlikely to help with moderate and severe forms of the disease. In this case, this application can be used as an additional mood tracking tool that you will use in conjunction with other therapeutic methods. You can also use a similar application in Russian "Diary - Mood Tracker" .

Use the free T2 Mood Tracker app (in English). This application will help you keep track of your emotional state at different points in time, and its functionality includes the ability to present information in a graphical form. This will allow you to monitor your symptoms of depression so that you can more reliably report this information to your healthcare provider. If you accurately and accurately enter information into the application and discuss the dynamics with your doctor, you can reliably determine how effective your antidepressants are.

In people, especially residents of large cities, it began to occur quite often. This is facilitated in many ways by the rapid rhythm of life along with disturbed ecology and constant stress. Some try to treat depression with alcoholic beverages. But this approach, of course, is fundamentally wrong. It will not be possible to solve the problem in this way, but it is quite possible to gradually turn into an alcoholic. Depression is a disease and should be treated with drugs such as antidepressants. The side effects of these drugs will be discussed in the article.

Antidepressants and the mechanism of their action on the body

Currently, pharmacies sell a variety of antidepressants, which belong to different categories of drugs. But the impact on the body of most of them is the same and is always directed to a change in the amount of certain chemical elements in the brain tissues, which are called neurotransmitters. Their deficiency leads to all sorts of disorders of the psyche and nervous activity, in particular this causes the development of depression.

As with any medication, antidepressants also have side effects. More on that below.

The effect of such drugs is that they increase the content of neurotransmitters in the brain or make cells more receptive to these elements. It is customary to prescribe any antidepressants for quite long courses. This is directly related to the fact that they do not show their effect immediately. Most often, the positive effect of the use of such a drug begins to develop only a few weeks after the start of its administration. In those situations where it is required that the effect of the drug manifest itself faster, doctors prescribe it by injection. According to reviews, antidepressants are considered very effective drugs. Their use reliably eliminates such manifestations of depression as a sense of hopelessness along with a loss of interest in life, apathy, sadness, anxiety and longing. But do not forget about the side effects of antidepressants.

Antidepressants do not help, what to do?

You can often hear that it does not make sense to take these medicines because of their ineffectiveness. But most often, the lack of results lies in the fact that people buy antidepressants in pharmacies without a medical prescription, and, therefore, without consulting a specialist. In this situation, the medicine may simply not be suitable for the person, or he may take it in the wrong dosage. It is necessary to consult a doctor who will prescribe the required treatment.

In addition, do not forget that in order to get a result from therapy, they should be taken for a long time, at least three months. Are there antidepressants without side effects? Many patients are concerned about this issue.

Is it worth it to buy cheap drugs?

Often patients refuse treatment with antidepressants because of their high price. True, in pharmacies you can almost always buy cheaper analogues that will not be inferior to the main product in terms of their effectiveness, in addition, quality or safety. Cheap antidepressants, according to patient reviews, affect the body no worse than their counterparts, which are significantly superior in price. But in the event that there are still doubts, then you can always consult on the choice of a drug with your doctor.

How long should the treatment last?

As a rule, doctors prescribe antidepressants for long courses, which range from several months to one year. You can not independently refuse treatment until the completion of the course, which was recommended by the doctor.

Side effects from antidepressants are much more common in women. In addition to the main reactions, they most often have a decrease in interest in sex, it is also difficult to achieve orgasm, lubrication decreases (dryness of the vagina appears).

Some drugs, in addition to relieving the symptoms of depression, also have a psychostimulant property. Against the background of their use, patients often have problems falling asleep. But even in this situation, it is impossible to refuse further treatment. It is advisable to contact your doctor with a request to change the scheme of therapy. For example, your doctor may recommend that you take your prescribed medications at lunchtime and in the morning.

Side effects

Taking any medication, including antidepressants, can lead to side effects. Drugs in this group, according to reviews, can often cause a slight feeling of nausea along with problems with falling asleep. Very rarely, they lead to violations in the sexual life. As practice shows, all of the listed side effects are observed in the first few days of admission, and then they disappear on their own, and no additional treatment is required. The attending physician usually advises antidepressants with a minimum of side effects.

Most of today's anti-depression medications have little to no interaction with other medications they take. But in the event that a person buys antidepressants without a prescription and takes any other drugs, including dietary supplements, it is certainly important to consult with a specialist about the safety of joint use.

Side effects of the antidepressant "Fluoxetine" are abound. The drug is also known under the name "Prozac". It is important to note that it can be highly addictive. "Fluoxetine" has an extremely negative effect on the central nervous system. With prolonged uncontrolled intake, this leads to:

dizziness and headaches;
nightmares;
euphoria;
anxiety;
psychomotor agitation;
neuroses;
thought disorder;
loss of coordination of movements;
attention disorder;
lethargy.

In addition, there is a risk of drug overdose.

It is impossible to completely exclude any complications even against the background of the use of psychotropic drugs that have a sparing effect. The greatest likelihood of side effects as a result of the use of antidepressants occurs among patients suffering from somatic diseases, in addition, in the elderly, who have an increased sensitivity to psychotropic drugs.

The most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include anticholinergic disorders along with disorders of the nervous system. Plus, there may be malfunctions in the work of the heart and blood vessels, in addition, sometimes there are complications in the hematopoietic organs, as well as metabolic and endocrine changes associated with an increase in body weight and allergic reactions.

Side effects and complications from antidepressants, as a rule, manifest themselves in the initial stages of taking in the first couple of weeks. They sometimes persist for one month of therapy, after which they undergo reverse development. Against the background of persistent and at the same time overly pronounced disorders, it is advisable to reduce the dose, and if necessary, a complete cessation and refusal of therapy is required. So, among the main side effects that can develop against the background of the use of antidepressants, the following conditions are most often observed in patients:

The appearance of nausea.
Feeling of dryness in the mouth.
Decreased or complete lack of appetite.
Presence of vomiting.
Development of diarrhea or constipation.
Frequent dizziness.
Insomnia along with headaches.
Increased feelings of anxiety.
The appearance of nervousness along with a feeling of internal tension.

Under the supervision of a doctor, it is possible to choose an antidepressant without side effects for your body.

myths

Many people are very wary of antidepressant treatment, as they believe that these drugs can deprive them of all human emotions, thereby turning them into soulless robots. In fact, this is completely true. According to reviews, antidepressants minimize feelings of fear, longing, and anxiety. They have absolutely no effect on any other emotions.

Another equally common myth about antidepressants is that once started treatment with these drugs, a person will have to continue using them for the rest of his life. In fact, antidepressants do not cause any physical addiction, let alone mental dependence. Just for the effectiveness of treatment, it is necessary to prescribe them to patients for long courses.

Antidepressants with minimal side effects

Available for purchase without a prescription, have a minimum of side effects:

The tetracyclic group is "Maprotiline" ("Ladiomil").
Tricyclic group - "Paxil" ("Adepress", "Plizil", "Cirestill", "Plizil").
Selective inhibitors - "Prozac" ("Prodel", "Fluoxetine", "Profluzak").
If you need to give up long-term bad habits, for example, smoking - "Zyban" ("NowSmok", "Wellbutrin").
Herbal preparations - "Persen", "Deprim", "Novo-Passit".

Antidepressants and exercise

Against the background of sports training in the human body, hormones of joy begin to be intensively produced, which are scientifically called endorphins. They do an excellent job of reducing the severity of depression, improving mood. For this reason, regular exercise is ideally combined with antidepressant therapy, reducing the duration of courses and reducing the dosage of the drugs used.

Thus, if you have mild depression, it is best to go to the pool or the gym instead of buying antidepressants from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. So a person will be able not only to improve his condition without the use of medicines, but it will also bring many benefits to the whole organism as a whole.

Completion of antidepressant therapy

In the event that a person has begun a course of treatment with antidepressants, then you should never stop it on your own without the permission of a doctor. This is because any withdrawal of antidepressants must be done slowly and gradually. Against the background of a sharp refusal of further therapy, depressive symptoms will almost immediately return again. In addition, the symptoms may become even stronger than they were before the start of the course of treatment. That is why the abolition of antidepressants should occur strictly according to the indicated scheme, which was recommended by the attending physician.

Now we will find out what ordinary people who happened to undergo treatment with these drugs think about the use of antidepressants.

Feedback on the side effects of antidepressants

People respond differently to antidepressants, but in general they are satisfied with the effect that can be achieved thanks to their intake. In particular, it is reported that taking these drugs actually helps to change your life for the better when depression sets in and it starts to seem that everything is so bad that you don’t even want to live.

Almost all the comments that people leave on the Internet about certain antidepressants are accompanied by such words and phrases as "helps", "saves", "manages to get out" and so on.

There is a wide variety of information about the speed of obtaining the result. So, some write that they were able to notice the effect after the first few days of taking it, while others report the result only after one month.

Among the dissatisfied reviews, there is often a statement that the antidepressant withdrawal syndrome is extremely difficult for patients. On this basis, apathy and depression overcome a person in full. In addition, they talk about the appearance of uncontrollable anger. Therefore, many say that they began to feel even worse than before taking the medication. As part of a commentary on such reviews, it should be recalled that antidepressants, including those with the least side effects, are not a toy at all, and they should be taken only as directed by a doctor.

Not infrequently, people talk about such a side effect as insomnia. On top of that, for some, taking pills is accompanied by a decrease in libido. Some say that they did not tolerate the course of taking in general, and also that antidepressants increase blood pressure.

People are also dissatisfied with the fact that it takes too long to take such pills in order to achieve and maintain a positive effect. Quite often there are complaints about the cost of antidepressants, which for some drugs can reach up to two thousand rubles per package.

So, in conclusion, let's name the main advantages that people who used antidepressants talk about:

Drugs change lives for the better, helping to get out of difficult situations.
Eliminate the feeling of depression, tearfulness, anxiety, irritability and so on.

The following are the disadvantages:

High price.
development of side effects. Most often it is insomnia and decreased libido.
The need for long-term use.
Some worsen their depression.
withdrawal syndrome.

Thus, today antidepressants are a good solution in case of depression. In most reviews of antidepressants and side effects, people report their effectiveness. But it is extremely important to undergo a course of treatment with these drugs only in accordance with medical recommendations, since otherwise, with self-therapy, your condition can only be aggravated.

The side effects are largely the same. But the main difference is that the former are addictive, while the latter are not.

In the West, as you know, antidepressants are widely distributed. After the release of the film of the same name, even such a definition appeared - "the Prozac generation" (this is the name of one of the popular antidepressants - Sputnik).

Belarusians are wary of these drugs. Sputnik correspondent Valeria Berekchiyan spoke with specialists from the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health and found out whether it is worth being afraid of antidepressants, who should take them and when, and how not to blink and think of depression.

Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared depression to be the leading cause of disability worldwide, with more than 300 million people estimated to suffer from it.

Symptoms of depression and why Belarusians (not) find it in themselves

Depression is a state of persistently bad mood (at least two weeks), which may be accompanied by apathy, low activity, inability to enjoy or be interested in something. Often, people who are faced with it find it difficult to concentrate and start a new business, their sleep and appetite are worsened, their sexual desire and self-esteem are reduced, and there is a feeling of guilt.

Self-diagnosis of depression is not uncommon. According to Irina Khvostova, Deputy Director for Medical Affairs of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health, there are several reasons.

First, it is indeed common: the lifetime risk of depression is up to 12% in men and up to 30% in women. Secondly, modern people have access to information on this topic, including professional information.

It also happens vice versa: often patients do not notice their illness; then the appeal to the doctor should be initiated by people close to them. With depression of mild and moderate severity, they often turn to a psychotherapist, but this practice is not very popular among Belarusians, experts say.

“Sometimes they don’t go to the doctor because of the “masked” course of depression. Typical symptoms may appear slightly or not at all, sometimes the symptoms of a bodily illness come to the fore - pain in the heart, a feeling of lack of air, uncomfortable / painful sensations from the digestive tract or functional disorders of the intestines. People turn to different specialists, undergo numerous examinations. And only when the treatment does not give the desired result, they are referred to a specialist in the field of mental health, "said Lyubov Karnitskaya, Deputy Director for Medical Affairs of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health.

In some cases, hospital treatment is required. In the aforementioned Republican Scientific and Practical Center, specialized departments have been created for such patients: here various specialists experienced in the field of neurotic disorders work with them, and research is carried out in order to solve the problem in a comprehensive manner.

"There is no need to be afraid of antidepressants, but you do not need to drink without a reason"

Antidepressants are taken so that the symptoms of depression subside or disappear altogether, and the patient who has suffered from it again feels a sense of well-being. In other words, their task is to return a person to normal life. According to Irina Khvostova, one should definitely not be afraid of antidepressants.

"Modern antidepressants are quite safe; they do not cause addiction. But it must be remembered that antidepressants are not sweets, and they have contraindications and side effects. Only a doctor can correctly correlate the expected benefits of prescribing a drug and the possible negative consequences of taking it," - says the expert.

But you don’t need to accept them for an insignificant reason either: according to Lyubov Karnitskaya, sometimes people get by with psychological help even in cases of severe oppression.

"One of our patients - a young woman - suffered the death of a loved one, and soon - an operation due to a suspected malignant tumor; after discharge, she received a disability certificate due to a long rehabilitation. Mood and physical activity decreased, thoughts of imminent death appeared, pessimism in relation to life and people, a depressed state, the desire to hide and not communicate with anyone, "Karnitskaya recalled.

While waiting for the results of the biopsy, the woman worked herself up, set herself up for the worst outcome, felt more and more depressed, and then withdrew. In the end, my sister insisted: we need to go to a psychotherapist.

“A psycho-correctional conversation was held, and when the woman received results about the good quality of education and a favorable prognosis, her mental state improved quite quickly and the appointment of an antidepressant was not required,” the doctor said.

Side effects of antidepressants, according to Irina Khvostova, are rare. However, it is worth knowing that among them are restlessness, increased anxiety or, conversely, excessive calmness, sleep disturbance, nausea; and in some cases, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. The opinion that antidepressants reduce performance is a myth, she said.

“Apathy and decreased activity are symptoms of depression; a person taking an antidepressant may at some point mistakenly conclude that his decrease in performance is a consequence of taking the antidepressant,” the doctor said.

Sometimes, in order to return to normal life, the patient only needs to find and eradicate the "source of troubles" - that which provokes negative thoughts and bad mood.

"A young woman came with complaints of low mood for several months, anxiety, uncertainty about the future, lack of pleasure from her favorite work. From a conversation with a specialist, it became known about a chronic psycho-traumatic situation in the family - baseless jealousy of a partner, constant conflicts," shared Lyubov Karnitskaya.

The patient had to part with the man. And after a course of psychotherapy, her condition improved even without the appointment of antidepressants.

Who needs to take antidepressants and can I start taking it myself?

Khvostova categorically does not recommend starting the reception on her own.

“This is not the case when the positive feedback from a neighbor or a friend from social networks can serve as a reason for taking the medicine. Professional knowledge and experience are needed to choose the right antidepressant,” she shared.

In addition, these pills do not work instantly: their effect is noticeable only in the third or fourth week of routine use in the correct dosage, which can also be selected only by a doctor.

Saving yourself with antidepressants is advised in several cases. When psychotherapy does not help, and the symptoms of depression (for example, impaired appetite and sleep) are so pronounced that they simply do not allow a person to lead a normal life.

“They are also prescribed if a person has already struggled with such a problem with the help of antidepressants and in cases where there is a high risk of committing suicide,” Khvostova explained.

Another case from practice - a 55-year-old woman survived her husband's betrayal. The mood dropped, the patient stopped taking care of herself, lay in bed and was completely uninterested in others, her appetite disappeared. She lost a lot of weight.

“I began to express thoughts about my unwillingness to live. I categorically refused to consult a doctor (I formally agreed to meet with him after lengthy persuasion by the children). The severity of symptoms of depression and the presence of suicidal thoughts required the appointment of an antidepressant,” said Karnitskaya.

Why is the use of antidepressants so common in the West? Often heard that their reception has become almost the norm, even with overwork.

“Most likely, this is an erroneous impression: after all, people can simply mention that they are taking these drugs without going into the true reasons for the treatment (only the doctor knows the depth of the problem more often). Do not forget that in Western culture it is customary not to “cry in a vest”, but look successful and prosperous, even experiencing depression. However, antidepressants around the world are prescribed only if there is a medical indication for this, "said the specialist.

Antidepressants are sold in Belarus only by prescription. With proper use, their effectiveness is undeniable, but their use can have side effects, and sometimes quite pronounced. Therefore, their use is possible in our country only under the supervision of a doctor. But getting to him is not so difficult - just make an appointment with a psychotherapist at your place of residence or contact a psychological help service.

The appointment of psychotropic substances is included in the complex treatment of depression. Side effects from antidepressants appear already in the first days of admission. The most common are nausea, sleep problems and lethargy.

Effects and side effects of antidepressants

The main area of influence of antidepressants is the brain. The main task of psychotropic drugs is to improve the concentration of neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphin and others.

Problems arise from the increased content of these hormones in the body. Excessive concentration is accompanied by the following symptoms:

increased sweating;
low or high blood pressure;
akathisia (the impossibility of being in a calm state, without movement);
aggression, hostility towards other people;
lack of concentration;
inability to clearly articulate thoughts;
restless sleep, insomnia;
hallucinations;
disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract (indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting);
increased photosensitivity (reaction of the skin to the sun's rays with the participation of the immune system);
slowing down metabolism;
persistent dryness in the mouth;
darkening in the eyes, dizziness, fainting;
weakening of libido;
constant indifference, the appearance of callousness;
sudden loss or weight gain.

In some cases, you should be especially careful when taking such drugs. The most unpleasant consequences arise in the presence of the following factors:

increased excitability;
violation of the normal functioning of the kidneys;
frequent convulsions, fainting and seizures;
lowering blood pressure;
disruptions in the process of blood circulation;
poor blood clotting;
childhood;
increased levels of thyroid hormones (disruption of the thyroid gland).

You should also refrain from treating pregnant and lactating women with strong drugs, because the effect of antidepressants also extends to the child.

Health disorders appear with the use of such groups of antidepressants as MAOIs and tricyclics. Especially strong consequences are manifested in people suffering from heart disease, stomach diseases, urethral atony and glaucoma.

Symptoms of long-term use of antidepressants

The longer the course of treatment is, the worse the consequences of taking medications can be: the likelihood of a deterioration in the general condition increases and addiction occurs. There are also malfunctions in the brain. He no longer processes and perceives new information so quickly, as disturbances appear in the transmission of nerve impulses.

Many scientists agree that the most effective will be a short-term course of taking drugs, and with long-term treatment it becomes meaningless. The doctor needs to make a sparing list of medications, because addiction to antidepressants is just as dangerous as nicotine or alcohol.

If the patient did not follow the precautions, then when trying to stop the treatment, a relapse will occur, that is, a return to the same state of health as before taking the medication. Physical and mental conditions can not only become the same, but also worsen many times over.

All strong antidepressants are available by prescription. Those who do not want to visit a specialist resort to the help of lighter plant-based preparations. A dangerous delusion is that it is impossible to get used to such mild pills. But in reality, over-the-counter drugs cause side effects and addiction. They should not be used for too long a period and with caution, not exceeding the dose.

Possible complications in men

In the treatment of antidepressants in men, there is a decrease in sexual activity. It is important to understand that these drugs do not affect the somatic functions of the body, but only affect the human psyche. That is, the work of the genital organs itself is not disturbed, so you should not be afraid of any problems with the reproductive system.

An increase in the level of serotonin leads to a decrease in the content of dopamine, which is responsible for excitability. Therefore, achieving orgasm becomes either difficult and time-consuming, or almost impossible.

If drug-induced impotence occurs, you should seek the advice of your doctor. He will either reduce the amount of drugs taken, or introduce medications that increase dopamine levels into the course of treatment.

Doctors advise informing your partner about the start of medication in order to avoid misunderstandings and trouble later. Quarrels and frustrations can delay the healing process and worsen libido problems.

Treatment with antidepressants should never be done on your own. A specialist should monitor the change in the patient's condition. If necessary, he will adjust the dose of the drugs received. Self-activity in such a case is unacceptable, because it can lead to irreparable consequences.

It has long been known that antidepressants are far from safe drugs. The treatment of depression is still trial and error, and it is the patients who pay the price for the progress of science. As is often the case with drugs, much depends on the individual sensitivity of the patient.

For some people, certain types of antidepressants cause serious side effects, while for others, these drugs are almost completely harmless. Worst of all, when antidepressants not only do not treat depression, but also aggravate it.

Scientists have studied various antidepressants well. Side effects, according to statistics, occur in about 40% of people taking this type of drug. The two most unpleasant of them - weight gain and libido disorder - are experienced by people hard and often serve as a reason for refusing treatment.

Other common negative side effects of antidepressants include:

constipation or diarrhea;
nausea;
dry mouth;
muscle weakness;
tremor of the limbs;
headache;
daytime sleepiness.

The mechanism of action on the body

It is commonly believed that antidepressants work by increasing levels in the brain of a special group of chemicals called neurotransmitters. According to modern science, depression is caused precisely by the lack of these substances. Some neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, can improve a person's emotional state, although this process is still not fully understood. Increased levels of neurotransmitters can also prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Therefore, some antidepressants are quite effective pain relievers.

Don't help how to be

To treat depression, a doctor may initially prescribe the lowest possible dosage. Usually, the beneficial effect of the drugs is felt two to three weeks after the start of administration. It is important not to stop taking antidepressants, even if the patient is not yet getting relief; Each person has their own “antidepressive” threshold.

But if there is no improvement in the condition after taking the medicine for four weeks, it is recommended to consult your doctor. He will either offer to increase the dose or try alternative drugs. The course of treatment usually lasts about six months, although if the depression is chronic, it can be up to two years.

Not all patients benefit from antidepressants. According to Professor of the University of Groningen W. Nolen, in order for there to be one case of a real cure, seven patients must be treated.

Although well-chosen antidepressants can often reduce the symptoms of depression, they do not affect the causes of depression themselves. Therefore, they are usually used in combination with therapy to treat severe depression or other conditions caused by emotional disorders.

Is it worth it to buy cheap drugs

Tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline) are among the cheapest antidepressant medications. This is the oldest type of antidepressants, a good practical base has been accumulated on them, and their effect on the body has been more or less studied. However, tricyclic antidepressants are rarely prescribed because of the many side effects on the body, usually when a person with severe depression does not respond to other types of drugs or to treat other conditions, such as bipolar disorder.

Side effects may include:

constipation;
nausea;
muscle weakness;
edema, etc.

If any of these negative effects of medication occur, it is not necessary to completely abandon antidepressants. Side effects occur from a particular drug, they may not be from another drug. It is important to choose the right treatment option under the supervision of a doctor.

Side effects of antidepressants: how to deal with it

The reason for the large number of side effects from taking antidepressants is due to the fact that doctors themselves still poorly understand exactly how antidepressants and depression itself affect the brain. Sometimes antidepressant treatment can be compared to shooting sparrows with a cannon, especially if the patient has mild or moderate depression. Prolonged exposure to an incredibly complex, well-balanced system of powerful chemicals will inevitably lead to side effects of varying severity. Usually the side effects of antidepressants are quite mild and tend to lessen as the treatment continues as the body gets used to the effects of the drug.

With minimal side effects

The most common type of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The reason is that they cause the fewest side effects. In addition, their overdose very rarely leads to serious consequences.

These include drugs with active substances:

fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Sarafem);
paroxetine (Rexetin, Aropax);
citalopram (Cipramil, Sepram, Cytahexal);
escitalopram (Selektra, Lexapro);
sertraline (Zoloft, Serlift, Asentra);
fluvoxamine (Fevarin, Luvox, Deprevox).

Another group of antidepressants well tolerated by patients are selective norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors. So far, scientists know only one active substance of this group - bupropion (drugs: Wellbutrin, Zyban).

The frequency and severity of side effects from antidepressants depend on the individual sensitivity of the patient - the same medication can be extremely difficult for one to tolerate, while the other does not cause any problems. Many side effects disappear after the first week of treatment, and others may force the doctor to prescribe a different drug.

Possible side effects when taking antidepressants may include the following:

Drowsiness.
Nausea.
Dry mouth.
Insomnia.
Anxiety, excitement, restlessness.
Gastrointestinal disorders, constipation or diarrhea.
Dizziness.
Decreased libido.
Headache.
Blurred vision.

Nausea

It is a direct consequence of starting the medication and as the patient's body gets used to the antidepressant, it goes away by itself.

If the condition causes increased inconvenience, you can use the following methods:

Take your antidepressant on a full stomach and eat smaller amounts more often than usual.
Drink plenty of fluids, but try to avoid carbonated drinks.

If none of the above helps and you feel sick all the time, you can try taking some medicine that relieves nausea (here you need to consult a doctor).

Weight gain while taking antidepressants can occur for a variety of reasons. This may be fluid retention in the body, lack of physical activity, or a consequence of a good appetite if the antidepressant has begun to work.

If the patient is concerned about weight gain, the following measures can be taken:

Eat less sweets (this also includes drinks with a high sugar content).
It is preferable to eat low-calorie foods, such as vegetables and fruits, try to avoid foods with saturated fats.
It is advisable to keep a food diary in which to record the amount and composition of the food eaten.

As far as possible, as depression allows, it is recommended to exercise - even 10 minutes a day will help you feel better.

Fatigue, drowsiness

Most often occurs in the first week after the appointment of the drug.

You can deal with it using the following methods:

Set aside time for sleep in the middle of the day.
Increase physical activity, such as walking.
Take an antidepressant at night.
It is recommended to refrain from driving a car or performing work that requires increased concentration.

Insomnia

For insomnia, you can try the following:

Take an antidepressant in the morning.
Avoid foods with caffeine, especially at night.
It is recommended to increase physical activity, but move the time of exercise or walking / running a few hours before bedtime.

If insomnia continues, you can ask your doctor to reduce the dose, prescribe a sedative or sleeping pill.

Dry mouth

A common side effect when taking antidepressants. You can fight it in the following ways:

Drink water frequently or suck on ice cubes.
Avoid foods that cause dehydration, such as caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and smoking.
Try to breathe through your nose and not through your mouth.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and visit the dentist regularly - dry mouth can cause cavities to form.
Use a moisturizing mouth spray.

constipation

It happens that antidepressants disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive tract and cause constipation.

To alleviate this condition, you can try the following methods:

To drink a lot of water.
Eat foods high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, bran, whole grain bread.
Take fiber supplements.
Increase physical activity.

sex life

Antidepressants negatively affect a person's sexual life - they cause a decrease in desire and make it difficult to achieve orgasm. Others may cause problems getting or maintaining an erection.

If the patient is in a constant sexual relationship, it is recommended to plan sexual activity based on the time of taking the medication, shifting it to the time before taking the dose.

You can also consult with a partner and increase the time of foreplay before the actual start of sexual intercourse.

Finally, you can simply ask your doctor to prescribe a different medication.