Can someone recommend an anti depressant drug that doesn't have major adverse side effects?
407515
you really need to speak to a qualified doctor about this, since two people on the same anti depressant can experience varying degrees of the same side effects or in fact different side effects altogether.\n  I take efexor and it took many years of trying various anti depressants at varying doses before I found one that worked for me and that I suffer little or no side effects with.  The only unpleasant side effect happens if I miss a dose.
856232
I'm on  prescribed Wellbutrin , Depakote ,Clonazepam.and Fluoxetine.   Paxil was ineffective.  Prosac (fluoxetine)  tend to make me gain weight. like most antidepressants do..  One of the side effects of Prosac is suicidal tendencies.  Lithium and Wellbutrin so far are  the drugs of choice.  .  There 's a new drug in the market.  Abilify.
638614
There is a lot of emotion and mixed information on this complicated issue.  Unfortunately there is no 100% concensus on exactly what to do.  There is a general thread of recommendation.  SSRI's are first line recommendations in patients who suffer from moderate to severe psychiatric illness, depression and anxiety due to the adverse consequences of untreated illness.  There do appear to be some minor complications in a few children who have been exposed to SSRI's at the third trimester. (see below) Further there is the concern of passing the medication through breast milk once the child is born.  Some medications are better than others and some simply have not been studied as hard. (like Effexor).  I think if you can tolerate Luvox (and it works for you) then that would be one you could take with relative safety and continue to take it through breast feeding.\n\nCohen LS, et al published in JAMA that pregnancy is not "protective" with respect to risk of relapse of major depression. Women with histories of depression who are euthymic (normal thyroid) in the context of ongoing antidepressant therapy should be aware of the association of depressive relapse during pregnancy with antidepressant discontinuation.\n\nSuppaseemanont asserted that current appropriate treatment for pregnant women with moderate and severe depression is antidepressant medication, although there is no consensus on the best antidepressants for use in pregnancy. Thus, the psychotropic drug must be chosen carefully to minimize negative effects on infants and mothers, for some studies have demonstrated deleterious effects on infants.\n\nSivojelezova A, et. al. studied Celexa.  They concluded that Citalopram (Celexa) use during the period of embryogenesis in pregnancy (early term) is not associated with an apparent major teratogenic risk (birth defect and lost of the baby). Late pregnancy use of citalopram is associated with increased risk of poor neonatal adaptation syndrome, recently described with other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.\n\nThese thoughts are echoed with Kalra S in a article trying to arrive at reasonable advice on the subject. Antidepressant use during the third trimester has been associated occasionally with a transient neonatal withdrawal-like syndrome characterized by jitteriness, self-limiting respiratory difficulties, and problems with feeding. When counseling patients, the risk of these adverse effects must be weighed against the risks associated with untreated depression during late pregnancy. Abrupt discontinuation of psychotropic medications has been associated with both physical (eg, withdrawal) and psychological (eg, suicidal thoughts) symptoms.\n\nBellantuono C, et al published an article recently.  The pregnancy is considered to be relatively high risk period for depressive episodes in women, particularly for those with pre-existing affective disorders. Epidemiological studies indicate that between 10% to 16% of pregnant women fulfil the diagnostic criteria for major depression and on average 20% is affected by an anxiety disorder. Pharmacological treatment of depression during pregnancy, however, brings with it certainties and dilemmas. It has been reported that untreated depression is associated with impaired feto-placental function, premature delivery, miscarriage, low fetal growth and perinatal unwanted effects. On the other hand, the use of antidepressant drugs in pregnancy might be at risk of major malformations (teratogenesis), neonatal toxicity, especially withdrawal symptoms and neuropsychological-behavioural impairment. In addition, the abrupt discontinuation of antidepressants, because of fear for adverse fetal effects, exposes women to serious clinical problems, in particular the disease relapse. A number of reviews indicates that among antidepressant drugs, the older SSRIs (in particular fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram) seem to be avoided of teratogenic risks; for these reasons such drugs
508911
ginseng is a picker-upper, but it should't (I wouldn't think) interfere with your antidepressant----your doctor, of course might say just the opposite.
268090
The answers above kind of summarize the answer. It depends what anti-depressant your on. Each person responds a little different to different medications. Some people will report no side effects, others have lots. If you are concerned about the weight gain, I'd talk to your prescribing physician and ask if there are alternative medications that he/she feels would be help and may not cause you to gain weight. Many of the newer anti-depressants (e.g., Effexor) have less side effects.
986042
It is the only medication of its kind that quickly brought depression/anxiety under control (for me and other members of my large extended family), perhaps because it impacts both Serotonin and Norepinephrine levels.  Slight dryness of mouth and some fatigue were the main side-effects ... minor compared to the alternatives ... this medication has probably saved lives in our family.
474657
This question is tough because everyone reacts to different drugs in different ways. For anxiety, I actually take the anti-depressant Zoloft. It's been the only one that hasn't made me too jittery or too numb. I can still feel emotions, but I'm better at handling stress...the anxiety just kind of goes away and life comes out feeling alright. I would talk to your doctor and you might have to try a few different ones before you find the one that works the best for you.
972397
No, antidepressants aren't something to tango with.\n\nWhile you feel that you can just stop taking them, talk to your doctor. You need to let your psychologist prescribe lesser amounts. \n\nLike with any medication given to you, especially long-term medicines, you need to talk to your doctor before quitting. The withdrawal from an antidepressant could be worse than you imagined. \n \nMake an appointment for next week.
970585
St. Johns is not a good idea to take.. It's been a long time but I used to take that and had bad side effects. (dizzy, sick, headaches)  I've been on Prozac and gain weight with that... I've also been on Effexor XR.  If the DR ever prescribes you Effexor XR do not take it! It was the worst feeling I have ever had when trying to get off of it!!!  I have been on others and after the Effexor incident I will not take prescriptions anymore... I did a lot of research on what would be safe and I found a herbal pill called 5-HTP, it works I've noticed I've been calmer, happier, I can sleep at night, and I don't have panic attacks anymore.  You can find it online... I buy it from an online company Swanson... I've been using them for years for vitamins and such. They are trustworthy.  I've also seen it in CVS.
205034
After reading the truth about the origin of anti-depressants, I would do everything but take Zoloft. I have seen too many tragedies due to the mind altering effect of Zoloft. There is no such thing as a happy pill.
485817
I am not actually on any antidepressants. but since I have realized that you really need an answer I thought you may like to see the following link:\nhttp://www.depression-guide.com/nardil.htm\n\nsorry ...:(
1046815
Mixing anti depression meds is never a good idea.  Make sure it's okay with your doctor before you take Welbutrin and Lexapro.  Lexapro is a good drug though, just don't mix it with other good drugs ;)
426569
There is some data that it can be as effective as zoloft in treating moderate depression.  It can have many drug interactions (such as birth control) or many other drugs.
83212
Talking to trusted family and friends, moderate exercise (brisk walk, 30 min/day), and daily exposure to sunlight can help.\n\nIf depression lasts more than a couple weeks, you should see a doctor.  It is best to talk to a psychologist or social worker.  Psychiatrists do a better job than family practitioners of prescribing medicines for depression because they have so much more experience with it.\n\nAlcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant.  It is best to stick with drugs prescribed by a psychiatrist.
730517
Registered Nurse here; Lexapro anti-depressant, the onset is faster than with most anti-depressants, approximately 2 weeks to began feeling the real benefits and relief of symptoms.  Advair, you should notice improvement with initial dose.  I also hope you began to feel better soon.  Also, If I may, I suggest that your next physician's visit you make a list of your questions and concerns for your physician is your very best resource person.\nThanks for the opportunity to address your question.
750145
EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!!!  It will also relieve your depression and allow you to stop taking the anti-depressants.  But start the exercising first for a life-changing experience.  Peace and good luck.
434912
I've tried zoloft but I can't take that because I stay in bed all day and I naturally have a temper but have learned to control it. But when I take zoloft I stay grouchy and on the edge. I've also tried Wellbutrin-XL. And the Wellbutrin works for me. It doesn't make me sleep all day or grouchy. I'm always in a good mood and can deal with everyday life and problems. I'm not as stressed for no reason. I'm more sociable. One of my friends was taking paxil for years. And the last year he took the paxil it didn't help out any so his doctor switched him to Cymbalta. And I tell you what he's like a whole new person. Cymbalta is a antidepressant and pain killer combined. He says it works he's not depressed lately or grouchy he's more open minded to things again and it also got rid of his pain from being depressed. You might have to try 1 antidepressant or you might have to try 3 or 4 different kinds until you find the one that's rite for you.