There are always a lot of questions about medication - do they work? what are the side-effects?, how long do I need to be on them?
If you can't find the answer to your question on this page, email us at ask@lookokfeelcrap.org, ask your GP or your pharmacist.
Antidepressants have been around since the 1950s, and now there are over 30 kinds available in the UK. They work by re-balancing the chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, which are affected by mood, including serotonin and noradrenaline.
Antidepressants do not cause addiction as can happen with tranquilisers (or other substances like nicotine, alcohol or heroin), where there is a need to keep increasing the dose to get the same effect.
However, up to a third of people who stop SSRI or SNRI medication do have withdrawal symptoms. These will be mild in most people, but sometimes these symptoms can be quite severe.
Read the answer to What happens when I stop taking medication? to find out more about withdrawal symptoms.
There are many studies showing that antidepressants do help a lot of people. But as with any treatment, they work better for some people and not so well for others.
Some people choose not to take medication for their depression.
The general position is:
Antidepressant medicines, despite the name, are also known to be effective for the following conditions:-
If you are unclear why an antidepressant has been suggested for you, ask your doctor.
Most antidepressants fall into one of five main categories. Within each of the categories, the individual antidepressants work in a similar way and have similar side-effects. The following list includes most of the commonly prescribed antidepressants and their typical side-effects.
Ask your GP or pharmacist if you have any specific questions about your medication.
For full details on side-effects you should study the information sheet provided with your medication.
Tricyclics were the first antidepressant to be used, and have been in use since the 1950s. This class of drugs includes the following (brand name is in brackets):
Common problems with Tricyclics include a dry mouth, constipation, a slight tremor, a more rapid heart beat, sleepiness, and increased appetite.
Men may experience difficulties either getting an erection or delayed ejaculation.
Tricyclics are very dangerous in overdose.
SSRIs are a type of antidepressant marketed in the UK since 1989. They block the re-uptake of serotonin into the nerve cell that released it, thereby prolonging its action. These drugs include (brand name in brackets):
Particularly in the first week or two SSRIs may cause nausea or even sickness and sometimes they may increase feelings of anxiety. They can cause problems with sexual function in both men and women.
Overall the SSRIs are less prone to unpleasant side-effects than the Tricyclics and they are much less dangerous in overdose.
MAOIs are an older type of antidepressant. MAOIs include:
These are now rarely prescribed because they can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure when taken with cheese, yeast (including beer), red wine and meat that isn’t fresh.
These drugs slow the re-uptake of both noradrenaline and serotonin and thus prolong their action.
Venlafaxine is similar in its side effects to the SSRIs. It should not to be used in the presence of severe heart problems and it can increase blood pressure which should therefore be monitored. It can cause weight gain and some problems with sex.
Mirtazapine (Zispin) is similar to the tricylics but has fewer side effects than the older drugs and doesn’t cause problems with sex like the older drugs. It can be quite sedative and can cause weight gain.
Until the 1990s, Tricyclics were the most commonly prescribed antidepressants but now the substantial majority of antidepressant prescriptions are for SSRIs.
Like all medicines, antidepressants can cause side-effects. Unfortunately it is not possible to predict who will get these side-effects or how bad they will be, but most people respond well to the first antidepressant they are prescribed.
Side-effects can vary considerably between individuals and will usually go away after about 3 weeks.
Do not be put off the drug your doctor has prescribed simply because a friend or relation had a problem with it. There is a good chance that you will not have the same problem.
But tell your doctor if you have any concerns. They may decide that you need to change the dosage to be more effective or change to another type of antidepressant to find one that works best for you.
Even with a commonly used drug that can be bought over the counter, such as Aspirin, a list of all its known side effects can be worrying. It is may be reassuring to know that:
We have listed some typical side-effects in the question above, What’s the difference? If you are worried about a specific side effect, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
All antidepressants work slowly. The benefits tend to be felt over weeks rather than days and different symptoms will get better at different times. Most people start to feel some improvement after 2-3 weeks, and the full effect usually takes around 4-6 weeks.
It is important to continue taking your antidepressant so that the full benefit can be felt.
No, you should keep taking your medication for the whole course of treatment as discussed with your doctor. If you stop taking an antidepressant, your original symptoms may return.
To reduce the chance of becoming depressed again, they should be taken for at least a further 6 months after you start to feel better and often longer. You should not stop or reduce medication without speaking to your doctor first.
Never change your dose without checking with your doctor. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember as long as it’s within a few hours of the usual time - if it is not, wait until the following day and take it as you would normally.
It is generally recommended that anyone taking an antidepressant should not take alcohol. The combination of any antidepressant with alcohol may cause drowsiness and increase the risk of falls and accidents.
Also, drinking alcohol, especially if you drink a lot, usually makes depression worse. Alcohol is a depressant.
Once people are used to their medication, they can sometimes drink alcohol in small quantities without any problems.
Avoid alcohol for the first 1-2 months. After this, if you want to drink, try a glass of your normal drink and see how you feel. If it doesn’t make you feel drowsy then it’s probably OK to drink small amounts.
It pays to be cautious as alcohol affects different people in different ways, especially when they are taking medication. Never stop your medication because you fancy a drink at the weekend and never drink any alcohol and drive when on an antidepressant.
It is always best to take as little as possible in the way of medication during pregnancy, especially in the first 3 months, however some mothers do take antidepressants when they are pregnant.
There is some evidence that babies of mums on these medications may experience withdrawal symptoms after birth. Paroxetine (Seroxat) seems to be the antidepressant most likely to do this.
Doctors are advised to consider alternative treatments in pregnancy but for some people, the risk of becoming depressed or remaining depressed may outweigh the possible risks associated with the medication.
This is a very personal decision and is something your doctor and you should discuss together.
Breastfeeding
The baby will only get, at most, a small amount of antidepressant from their mother’s milk. Some antidepressants are better than others in this regard.
On balance, bearing in mind all the advantages of breastfeeding, it may be best to carry on whilst taking your antidepressant.
Again this is a personal decision which should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor.
Some people do experience withdrawal symptoms when coming off antidepressant medication, but this will vary from person to person.
Up to one-third of people who stop their SSRI or SNRI have withdrawal symptoms.
Usually these are mild but they can be severe for some people. Paroxetine (Seroxat) and Venlafaxine (Efexor) are most likely to be associated with withdrawal problems.
The symptoms include:
Other common symptoms include:
Withdrawal symptoms are typically worse if you stop taking antidepressants suddenly. To reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms you should plan to reduce you dose slowly over a number of weeks so that your body gets used to the change gradually.
Always consult with your doctor about stopping taking any medication.
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