Negative Side Effects of Antidepressants

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon Side EffectsSerious Side EffectsConsult Your Doctor

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Common Side Effects

Serious Side Effects

Consult Your Doctor

What is the most important information I should know about antidepressants?Tell your doctor if you are taking medications or supplements that affect serotonin levels and seek medical help if you:experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors while taking antidepressants; orhave symptoms of an allergic reaction; orexperience mania, seizures, or other serious symptoms.All medications, includingantidepressants, can produce unwanted negative effects that we refer to as side effects. Some of these negative effects may be quite mild, while others may be more severe. In addition, they may go away or become less severe in time.If you experience problems withside effects, you should mention these to your doctor as they may be able to either give you strategies for coping with the side effects or prescribe a different antidepressant for you that has fewer or more tolerable side effects.Common Side EffectsSome of the more common negative effects that people may experience with antidepressants include:AnxietyBlurred visionConstipationDizzinessDry mouthFatigueFeeling numbInsomniaNauseaSexual side effectsWeight gainYour doctor can offer you appropriate coping strategies that can help. They may also change your dose or transition you to a different medication you can better tolerate. Side effects may decline after a few weeks once your body adapts to the medications, but some people experience some side effects for longer.Tactics that can help people cope with side effects include taking medication with food, increasing fluid intake, getting enough rest, and engaging in regular exercise.Coping With Nausea While on AntidepressantsSerious Side EffectsThough they are rare, some side effects of antidepressants are serious, so you should be aware of them. Among these are:Serotonin SyndromeSerotonin syndromeoccurs when aneurotransmitter, or a chemical messenger, in the brain called serotonin reaches dangerously high levels. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, agitation, muscle twitching, sweating, shivering, and diarrhea. In severe cases, people may have symptoms such as very high fever, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and unconsciousness.This side effect is linked to the use of antidepressants, including:Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs)Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors(SNRIs)Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Tricyclic antidepressantsOther agents such as Viibryd, Trintellix, nefazodone, and trazodoneSerotonin syndrome is generally triggered when an SSRI or SNRI medication is used in combination with a second medication that also affects serotonin levels, such as another antidepressant.If a person begins to exhibit any of the above symptoms, medical care should be sought immediately as this condition can be life-threatening.Is It Possible to Overdose on Antidepressants?HyponatremiaHyponatremia is a condition in which sodium, or salt, levels in the blood fall to abnormally low levels. When this happens, dangerous amounts of fluid can build up inside the body’s cells.This side effect can occur with SSRIs because these drugs can potentially impact the effects of a hormone involved in regulating sodium and fluid levels within the body. Older people may be especially prone to hyponatremia.Mild cases of hyponatremia can cause symptoms such as:ConfusionFeeling illHeadacheLoss of appetiteMuscle painIn more severe cases, people may also experience such symptoms as listlessness and fatigue, disorientation, agitation, psychosis, and seizures. In addition, hyponatremia has the potential to lead to coma or death.People who experience even mild symptoms of hyponatremia should seek immediate medical care.Suicidal ThoughtsYou should be aware that when you’re first starting an antidepressant, you may experience a temporary worsening of your depression and potentially even increased thoughts of suicide. Studies indicate that this may be especially true for people younger than age 25.If you, or someone you are caring for, experience any worsening of depression, increased thoughts of suicide or death, or unusual changes in behavior in the first weeks after starting a new antidepressant, it is important to get medical assistance immediately.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.Allergic ReactionsAllergic reactions can occur with antidepressants, either because a person is allergic to the active ingredient of the medication or because they are allergic to the dyes, fillers, or other inactive ingredients present in the pill or capsule.Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include swelling, itchy rash, hives, blisters, or difficulty breathing.A severe allergic reaction can become life-threatening if it blocks a person’s ability to breathe. Medical help should be sought for an allergic reaction, especially if there is swelling in the face or breathing difficulty.ManiaIn people withbipolar disorder, antidepressants can potentially trigger an episode of mania, especially if used without amood-stabilizingdrug.Symptoms of mania include increased energy and activity, problems with sleeping, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, grandiose thinking, extreme elevation of mood, irritability, and pressured speech.While mania is not necessarily life-threatening, it requires medical assistance to treat.SeizuresCertain antidepressants can increase a person’s risk of having a seizure. In some cases, the seizures may happen in a person who has never had one before. Most antidepressants do not increase seizure risk, although Wellbutrin (bupropion) is the antidepressant that is most likely to trigger one.Certainolder antidepressants called tricyclicscan also increase a person’s seizure risk. Generally, the newer antidepressants are less likely to trigger seizures.Seizures involve such symptoms as uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, staring spells, confusion, abnormal sensations, and loss of consciousness. All seizures should be reported to a doctor. If it is the first time a person has had a seizure, emergency services should be called.When to Call 911A seizure lasts more than five minutesThe person does not wake upAnother seizure begins immediately afterwardThe person is pregnant, injured, or has diabetesThe seizure occurs in waterThere is anything unusual about the seizure compared to others that the person has had beforeConsult Your DoctorKeep in mind, however, that it is never a good idea to stop taking your antidepressant without first discussing it with your doctor. An unpleasant set of symptoms known asdiscontinuation syndromemay occur if you stop taking your medication too abruptly.Symptoms of discontinuation syndrome include:AgitationAnxietyBlurred visionElectric shock sensationsFatigueHallucinationsInsomniaIrritabilityMuscle painSweatingTinglingUpset stomachVivid dreamsIt’s always best to taper off of your antidepressant very slowly with your doctor’s guidance. This gives your brain time to get used to the changes, and you will notice fewer effects if you stick with your doctor’s plan.How to Taper Off of Antidepressants

What is the most important information I should know about antidepressants?

Tell your doctor if you are taking medications or supplements that affect serotonin levels and seek medical help if you:experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors while taking antidepressants; orhave symptoms of an allergic reaction; orexperience mania, seizures, or other serious symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are taking medications or supplements that affect serotonin levels and seek medical help if you:

All medications, includingantidepressants, can produce unwanted negative effects that we refer to as side effects. Some of these negative effects may be quite mild, while others may be more severe. In addition, they may go away or become less severe in time.

If you experience problems withside effects, you should mention these to your doctor as they may be able to either give you strategies for coping with the side effects or prescribe a different antidepressant for you that has fewer or more tolerable side effects.

Some of the more common negative effects that people may experience with antidepressants include:

Your doctor can offer you appropriate coping strategies that can help. They may also change your dose or transition you to a different medication you can better tolerate. Side effects may decline after a few weeks once your body adapts to the medications, but some people experience some side effects for longer.

Tactics that can help people cope with side effects include taking medication with food, increasing fluid intake, getting enough rest, and engaging in regular exercise.

Coping With Nausea While on Antidepressants

Though they are rare, some side effects of antidepressants are serious, so you should be aware of them. Among these are:

Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndromeoccurs when aneurotransmitter, or a chemical messenger, in the brain called serotonin reaches dangerously high levels. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, agitation, muscle twitching, sweating, shivering, and diarrhea. In severe cases, people may have symptoms such as very high fever, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and unconsciousness.

This side effect is linked to the use of antidepressants, including:

Serotonin syndrome is generally triggered when an SSRI or SNRI medication is used in combination with a second medication that also affects serotonin levels, such as another antidepressant.

If a person begins to exhibit any of the above symptoms, medical care should be sought immediately as this condition can be life-threatening.

Is It Possible to Overdose on Antidepressants?

Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium, or salt, levels in the blood fall to abnormally low levels. When this happens, dangerous amounts of fluid can build up inside the body’s cells.

This side effect can occur with SSRIs because these drugs can potentially impact the effects of a hormone involved in regulating sodium and fluid levels within the body. Older people may be especially prone to hyponatremia.

Mild cases of hyponatremia can cause symptoms such as:

In more severe cases, people may also experience such symptoms as listlessness and fatigue, disorientation, agitation, psychosis, and seizures. In addition, hyponatremia has the potential to lead to coma or death.

People who experience even mild symptoms of hyponatremia should seek immediate medical care.

Suicidal Thoughts

You should be aware that when you’re first starting an antidepressant, you may experience a temporary worsening of your depression and potentially even increased thoughts of suicide. Studies indicate that this may be especially true for people younger than age 25.

If you, or someone you are caring for, experience any worsening of depression, increased thoughts of suicide or death, or unusual changes in behavior in the first weeks after starting a new antidepressant, it is important to get medical assistance immediately.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions can occur with antidepressants, either because a person is allergic to the active ingredient of the medication or because they are allergic to the dyes, fillers, or other inactive ingredients present in the pill or capsule.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include swelling, itchy rash, hives, blisters, or difficulty breathing.A severe allergic reaction can become life-threatening if it blocks a person’s ability to breathe. Medical help should be sought for an allergic reaction, especially if there is swelling in the face or breathing difficulty.

Mania

In people withbipolar disorder, antidepressants can potentially trigger an episode of mania, especially if used without amood-stabilizingdrug.Symptoms of mania include increased energy and activity, problems with sleeping, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, grandiose thinking, extreme elevation of mood, irritability, and pressured speech.

While mania is not necessarily life-threatening, it requires medical assistance to treat.

Seizures

Certain antidepressants can increase a person’s risk of having a seizure. In some cases, the seizures may happen in a person who has never had one before. Most antidepressants do not increase seizure risk, although Wellbutrin (bupropion) is the antidepressant that is most likely to trigger one.

Certainolder antidepressants called tricyclicscan also increase a person’s seizure risk. Generally, the newer antidepressants are less likely to trigger seizures.

Seizures involve such symptoms as uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, staring spells, confusion, abnormal sensations, and loss of consciousness. All seizures should be reported to a doctor. If it is the first time a person has had a seizure, emergency services should be called.

When to Call 911A seizure lasts more than five minutesThe person does not wake upAnother seizure begins immediately afterwardThe person is pregnant, injured, or has diabetesThe seizure occurs in waterThere is anything unusual about the seizure compared to others that the person has had before

When to Call 911

A seizure lasts more than five minutesThe person does not wake upAnother seizure begins immediately afterwardThe person is pregnant, injured, or has diabetesThe seizure occurs in waterThere is anything unusual about the seizure compared to others that the person has had before

Keep in mind, however, that it is never a good idea to stop taking your antidepressant without first discussing it with your doctor. An unpleasant set of symptoms known asdiscontinuation syndromemay occur if you stop taking your medication too abruptly.

Symptoms of discontinuation syndrome include:

It’s always best to taper off of your antidepressant very slowly with your doctor’s guidance. This gives your brain time to get used to the changes, and you will notice fewer effects if you stick with your doctor’s plan.

How to Taper Off of Antidepressants

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bet PM, Hugtenburg JG, Penninx BW, Hoogendijk WJ.Side effects of antidepressants during long-term use in a naturalistic setting.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol.2013;23(11):1443-1451. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.05.001Kelly K, Posternak M, Alpert JE.Toward achieving optimal response: Understanding and managing antidepressant side effects.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10(4):409-418.Wang RZ, Vashistha V, Kaur S, Houchens NW.Serotonin syndrome: Preventing, recognizing, and treating it.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(11):810-817. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15129Viramontes TS, Truong H, Linnebur SA.Antidepressant-induced hyponatremia in older adults.Consult Pharm. 2016;31(3):139-150. doi:10.4140/TCP.n.2016.139Brent DA.Antidepressants and suicidality.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016;39(3):503-512. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2016.04.002Abrams EM, Khan DA.Diagnosing and managing drug allergy.CMAJ. 2018;190(17):E532-E538. doi:10.1503/cmaj.171315Williams AJ, Lai Z, Knight S, Kamali M, Assari S, Mcinnis MG.Risk factors associated with antidepressant exposure and history of antidepressant-induced mania in bipolar disorder.J Clin Psychiatry. 2018;79(3):17m11765. doi:10.4088/JCP.17m11765Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Highlights of prescribing information for Wellbutrin.Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: A comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101-112. doi:10.4068/cmj.2018.54.2.101Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bet PM, Hugtenburg JG, Penninx BW, Hoogendijk WJ.Side effects of antidepressants during long-term use in a naturalistic setting.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol.2013;23(11):1443-1451. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.05.001Kelly K, Posternak M, Alpert JE.Toward achieving optimal response: Understanding and managing antidepressant side effects.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10(4):409-418.Wang RZ, Vashistha V, Kaur S, Houchens NW.Serotonin syndrome: Preventing, recognizing, and treating it.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(11):810-817. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15129Viramontes TS, Truong H, Linnebur SA.Antidepressant-induced hyponatremia in older adults.Consult Pharm. 2016;31(3):139-150. doi:10.4140/TCP.n.2016.139Brent DA.Antidepressants and suicidality.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016;39(3):503-512. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2016.04.002Abrams EM, Khan DA.Diagnosing and managing drug allergy.CMAJ. 2018;190(17):E532-E538. doi:10.1503/cmaj.171315Williams AJ, Lai Z, Knight S, Kamali M, Assari S, Mcinnis MG.Risk factors associated with antidepressant exposure and history of antidepressant-induced mania in bipolar disorder.J Clin Psychiatry. 2018;79(3):17m11765. doi:10.4088/JCP.17m11765Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Highlights of prescribing information for Wellbutrin.Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: A comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101-112. doi:10.4068/cmj.2018.54.2.101Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991

Bet PM, Hugtenburg JG, Penninx BW, Hoogendijk WJ.Side effects of antidepressants during long-term use in a naturalistic setting.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol.2013;23(11):1443-1451. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.05.001Kelly K, Posternak M, Alpert JE.Toward achieving optimal response: Understanding and managing antidepressant side effects.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10(4):409-418.Wang RZ, Vashistha V, Kaur S, Houchens NW.Serotonin syndrome: Preventing, recognizing, and treating it.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(11):810-817. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15129Viramontes TS, Truong H, Linnebur SA.Antidepressant-induced hyponatremia in older adults.Consult Pharm. 2016;31(3):139-150. doi:10.4140/TCP.n.2016.139Brent DA.Antidepressants and suicidality.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016;39(3):503-512. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2016.04.002Abrams EM, Khan DA.Diagnosing and managing drug allergy.CMAJ. 2018;190(17):E532-E538. doi:10.1503/cmaj.171315Williams AJ, Lai Z, Knight S, Kamali M, Assari S, Mcinnis MG.Risk factors associated with antidepressant exposure and history of antidepressant-induced mania in bipolar disorder.J Clin Psychiatry. 2018;79(3):17m11765. doi:10.4088/JCP.17m11765Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Highlights of prescribing information for Wellbutrin.Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: A comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101-112. doi:10.4068/cmj.2018.54.2.101Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991

Kelly K, Posternak M, Alpert JE.Toward achieving optimal response: Understanding and managing antidepressant side effects.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10(4):409-418.

Wang RZ, Vashistha V, Kaur S, Houchens NW.Serotonin syndrome: Preventing, recognizing, and treating it.Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(11):810-817. doi:10.3949/ccjm.83a.15129

Viramontes TS, Truong H, Linnebur SA.Antidepressant-induced hyponatremia in older adults.Consult Pharm. 2016;31(3):139-150. doi:10.4140/TCP.n.2016.139

Brent DA.Antidepressants and suicidality.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016;39(3):503-512. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2016.04.002

Abrams EM, Khan DA.Diagnosing and managing drug allergy.CMAJ. 2018;190(17):E532-E538. doi:10.1503/cmaj.171315

Williams AJ, Lai Z, Knight S, Kamali M, Assari S, Mcinnis MG.Risk factors associated with antidepressant exposure and history of antidepressant-induced mania in bipolar disorder.J Clin Psychiatry. 2018;79(3):17m11765. doi:10.4088/JCP.17m11765

Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Highlights of prescribing information for Wellbutrin.

Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, et al.Addressing the side effects of contemporary antidepressant drugs: A comprehensive review.Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(2):101-112. doi:10.4068/cmj.2018.54.2.101

Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?

What is the most important information I should know about antidepressants?#

Serotonin Syndrome#

Hyponatremia#

Suicidal Thoughts#

Allergic Reactions#

Mania#

Seizures#

When to Call 911#