Side Effects of Commonly Prescribed Anti-Depressant Drugs

Anti-depressant drugs are NOT USED at our facility but are routinely prescribed at many treatment facilities around the country. These include Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Haldol, Prozac, Trazodone, Celexa and others.

These drugs are commonly prescribed in treatment as a means of “treating” depression or “bi-polar’ “disorder. The contents of the following list is one of the reasons we do not use medications for treatment, and why many times these treatments are completely ineffective.

Prozac – Celexa – Luvox – Paxil – Zoloft – Desyrel/trazodone – Effexor – Serzone – Wellbutrin/Zyban – Tofranil/imipramine – Anafranil/Norpramin/desipramine – Asendin – Elavil/amitriptyline – Remeron – Parnate – Nardil

Prozac: fluoxetine pronounced (floo-ox´eh-teen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Headache, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, poor concentration, abnormal dreams, agitation, convulsions, apathy, euphoria, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis

gastrointestinal: Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, cramps, vomiting, taste changes, flatulence, decreased appetite

skin: Sweating, rash, pruritus, acne, alopecia, urticaria

respiratory: Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea, bronchitis, asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia

cardiovascular: Hot flashes, palpitations, angina pectoris, hemorrhage, hypertension, tachycardia, first-degree AV block, bradycardia, MI, thrombophlebitis

musculoskeletal: Pain, arthritis, twitching

urinary: Dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, urinary frequency, UTI, amenorrhea, cystitis, impotence, urine retention

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Visual changes, ear/eye pain, photophobia, tinnitus

systemic: Asthenia, viral infection, fever, allergy, chills

Celexa: citalopram Pronounced (sigh-tal´oh-pram)

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Headache, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, poor concentration, abnormal dreams, agitation, convulsions, apathy, euphoria, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis

gastrointestinal: Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, cramps, vomiting, taste changes, flatulence, decreased appetite

skin: Sweating, rash, pruritus, acne, alopecia, urticaria

respiratory: Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea, bronchitis, asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia

cardiovascular: Hot flashes, palpitations, angina pectoris, hemorrhage, hypertension, tachycardia, first-degree AV block, bradycardia, MI, thrombophlebitis

musculoskeletal: Pain, arthritis, twitching

urinary: Dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, urinary frequency, UTI, amenorrhea, cystitis, impotence, urine retention

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Visual changes, ear/eye pain, photophobia, tinnitus

systemic: Asthenia, viral infection, fever, allergy, chills

Luvox: Fluvoxamine pronounced (flu-vox´a-meen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, convulsions, sleep disorders

gastrointestinal: Nausea, anorexia, constipation, hepatotoxicity, vomiting, diarrhea

skin: Rash, sweating

urinary: Decreased libido

Paxil: Paroxetine pronounced (par-ox´e-teen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Headache, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, abnormal dreams, agitation, apathy, euphoria, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis

gastrointestinal: Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, cramps, vomiting, taste changes, flatulence, decreased appetite

skin: Sweating, rash

respiratory: Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea

cardiovascular: Vasodilation, postural hypotension, palpitations

musculoskeletal: Pain, arthritis, myalgia, myopathy, myosthenia

urinary: Dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, urinary frequency, UTI, amenorrhea, cystitis, impotence, abnormal ejaculation

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Visual changes

systemic: Asthenia, fever

Zoloft: sertraline pronounced (ser´tra-leen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Insomnia, agitation, somnolence, dizziness, headache, tremor, fatigue, paresthesia, twitching, confusion, ataxia, gait abnormality (elderly)

urinary: Male sexual dysfunction, micturition disorder

gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, constipation, anorexia, dry mouth, dyspepsia, vomiting, flatulence

cardiovascular: Palpitations, chest pain

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Vision abnormalities

skin: Increased sweating, rash, hot flashes

endocrine: SIADH (elderly)

Desyrel: trazodone pronounced (tray´zoe-done)
Desyrel Dividose, trazodone HCl

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increase in psychiatric symptoms

gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis

urinary: Retention, acute renal failure, priapism

skin: Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis

Effexor: venlafaxine pronounced (ven-la-fax´een)

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Emotional lability, vertigo, apathy, ataxia, CNS stimulation, euphoria, hallucinations, hostility, increased libido, hypertonia, hypotonia, psychosis

cardiovascular: Migraine, angina pectoris, hypertension, extrasystoles, postural hypotension, syncope, thrombophlebitis

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Abnormal vision, ear pain, cataract, conjunctivitis, corneal lesions, dry eyes, otitis media, photophobia

gastrointestinal: Dysphagia, eructation, colitis, gastritis, gingivitis, rectal hemorrhage, stomatitis, stomach and mouth ulceration

urinary: Anorgasmia, dysuria, hematuria, metrorrhagia, vaginitis, impaired urination, albuminuria, amenorrhea, kidney calculus, cystitis, nocturia, breast and bladder pain, polyuria, uterine hemorrhage, vaginal hemorrhage, moniliasis

skin: Ecchymosis, acne, alopecia, brittle nails, dry skin, photosensitivity

metabolism: Peripheral edema, weight gain, diabetes mellitus, edema, glycosuria, hyperlipemia, hypokalemia

musculoskeletal: Arthritis, bone pain, bursitis, myasthenia tenosynovitis

respiratory: Bronchitis, dyspnea, asthma, chest congestion, epistaxis, hyperventilation, laryngitis

systemic: Accidental injury, malaise, neck pain, enlarged abdomen, cyst, facial edema, hangover, hernia

Serzone: nefazodone pronounced (ne-faz´o-done)

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Somnolence, dizziness, headache, insomnia

gastrointestinal: Nausea, constipation, dry mouth

urinary: Urinary frequency, retention, UTI

cardiovascular: Postural hypotension

respiratory: Pharyngitis, cough

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, abnormal vision

Wellbutrin: Bupropion pronounced (byoo-proe´pee-on)
Wellbutrin SR, Zyban

side effects/adverse reactions:

central nervous system: Headache, agitation, confusion, seizures, akathisia, delusions, insomnia, sedation, tremors

cardiovascular: Dysrhythmias, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia, hypotension

gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, increased appetite, constipation

urinary: Impotence, frequency, retention

skin: Rash, pruritus, sweating

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, auditory disturbance

Tofranil: imipramine pronounced (im-ip´ra-meen)
Apo-Imipramine*, imipramine HCl*, Impril*, Janimine, Novo-Pramine*, SK-Pramine, Tofranil, Tofranil PM, Tripramine

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia

central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, paresthesia

gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus; increased appetite; cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis

urinary: Retention, acute renal failure

skin: Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis

Anafranil: desipramine pronounced (dess-ip´ra-meen)
desipramine HCl, Norpramin, Pertofrane clomipramine pronounced (kloe-mip´ra-meen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Agranulocytosis, neutropenia, pancytopenia

cardiovascular: Hypotension, tachycardia, cardiac arrest

central nervous system: Dizziness, tremors, mania, seizures, aggressiveness, EPS endocrine: Galactorrhea, hyperprolactinmia

metabolism: Hyponatremia

gastrointestinal: Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, dyspepsia

urinary: Delayed ejaculation, anorgasmy, retention

skin: Diaphoresis, photosensitivity

Asendin: amoxapine pronounced (a-mox´a-peen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia

central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, paresthesia, impairment of sexual functioning

gastrointestinal: Dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis

urinary: Retention, acute renal failure

skin: Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis, ophthalmoplegia

Elavil: amitriptyline pronounced (a-mee-trip´ti-leen)
Amitril, amitriptylline HCI, Apo-Amitriptyline*, Emitrip, Endep, Enovil, Levate*, Meravil*, Novotriptyn*, Rolavil*

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia

central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, seizures

gastrointestinal: Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis

urinary: Retention

skin: Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis, ophthalmoplegia

Remeron: mirtazapine pronounced (mer-ta´za-peen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia

central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, seizures

gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis

urinary: Retention, acute renal failure

skin: Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis

Parnate: tranylcypromine pronounced (tran-ill-sip´roe-meen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Anemia

central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, hyperreflexia, mania, insomnia, fatigue, weight gain

gastrointestinal: Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, weight gain

urinary: Change in libido, urinary frequency

skin: Rash, flushing, increased perspiration

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, dysrhythmias, hypertensive crisis

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision

endocrine: SIADH-like syndrome

Nardil: phenelzine pronounced (fen´el-zeen)

side effects/adverse reactions:

blood: Anemia

central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, hyperreflexia, mania, insomnia, fatigue, weight gain

gastrointestinal: Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, weight gain

urinary: Change in libido, frequency

skin: Rash, flushing, increased perspiration

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, dysrhythmias, hypertensive crisis ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision

endocrine: SIADH-like syndrome