Recently, depressive conditions in people, especially residents of large cities, began to occur quite often. This is facilitated in many ways by the rapid pace of life along with disturbed ecology and constant stress. Some try to treat depression with alcohol. But this approach, of course, is fundamentally wrong. The problem cannot be solved in this way, but it is quite possible to gradually turn into an alcoholic. Depression is a disease and should be treated with medications, which are antidepressants. We consider the side effects of these drugs in the article.
Antidepressants and the mechanism of their effect on the body
Currently, pharmacies sell a variety of antidepressants, which belong to different categories of drugs. But the effect on the body of most of them is the same and is always aimed at changing the amount of certain chemical elements in the brain tissue called neurotransmitters. Their deficiency leads to all kinds of mental disorders and nervous activity, in particular this leads to the development of depression.
As with any medication, antidepressants also have side effects. About it below.
The effect of such drugs is that they increase the content of neurotransmitters in the brain or make cells more susceptible to these elements. Any antidepressants are usually prescribed in sufficiently long courses. This is directly related to the fact that they do not immediately show their effect. 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 manifests itself faster, doctors prescribe it in injections. According to reviews, antidepressants are considered highly 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 makes no sense to take these medicines because of their inefficiency. But most often, the lack of result is that people get 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 the result from therapy, they should be taken for a long time, at least three months. Are antidepressants without side effects? Many patients are concerned about this issue.
Should I buy cheap drugs?
Often patients refuse antidepressant treatment because of their high price. True, in pharmacies it is almost always possible to purchase cheaper analogues, which will not be inferior to the main tool in its effectiveness, in addition, quality or safety. Cheap antidepressants, according to patients' reviews, affect the body no worse than their counterparts, which significantly exceed their price. But in the event that there are still doubts, you can always consult with your doctor about the choice of a medicine.
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 refuse treatment yourself until the completion of the course, which was recommended by a doctor.
Side effects from antidepressants in women develop much more often. In addition to the main reactions, their interest in sex most often decreases, orgasm is also difficult to achieve, lubrication decreases (vaginal dryness appears).
Some drugs, in addition to relieving the symptoms of depression, also have a psychostimulating property. Against the background of their use, patients often have problems falling asleep. But in this situation, you can not refuse further treatment. It is advisable to consult your doctor with a request to change the scheme of therapy. For example, a doctor may recommend taking the required medications at lunchtime and in the morning.
Side effects
Taking any medications, including antidepressants, can lead to side effects. The drugs of this group, according to reviews, can often cause a slight feeling of nausea along with problems with falling asleep. It is extremely rare that they entail disturbances in sexual life. As practice shows, all of the listed side effects are observed in the first few days of admission, and then go away on their own, while no additional treatment is required. The attending physician usually advises antidepressants with a minimum of side effects.
Most modern drugs to combat depression almost do not interact with other medications taken. 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 a specialist about the safety of co-administration.
Side effects of Fluoxetine antidepressant are abundant. The drug is also known as Prozac. It is important to note that it is highly addictive. Fluoxetine has an extremely negative effect on the central nervous system. With prolonged uncontrolled reception, this leads to:
- dizziness and headaches;
- nightmares;
- euphoria
- anxiety
- psychomotor agitation;
- neurosis;
- disordered thinking;
- loss of coordination of movements;
- impaired attention;
- lethargy.
In addition, there is a risk of overdose of the drug.
It is impossible to completely completely eliminate any complications even against the background of the use of psychotropic drugs with a gentle effect. The greatest likelihood of side effects resulting from the use of antidepressants occurs among patients suffering from somatic diseases, in addition, in elderly people who have an increased sensitivity to psychotropic drugs.
The most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include disorders of an anticholinergic nature along with impaired functions of the nervous system. In addition, malfunctions in the work of the heart and blood vessels may appear, in addition, sometimes there are complications in the organs of hematopoiesis, as well as metabolic and endocrine changes associated with weight gain and allergic reactions.
Side effects and complications from antidepressants, as a rule, manifest themselves in the initial stages of admission in the first couple of weeks. They sometimes remain during one month of therapy, after which they undergo a reverse development. Against the background of persistent and at the same time overly pronounced disorders, it is advisable to reduce the dose, and if absolutely necessary, complete cessation and refusal of therapy is required. So, among the main side effects that can develop with the use of antidepressants, the following conditions are most often observed in patients:
- The appearance of nausea.
- Dry mouth.
- Decreased or complete lack of appetite.
- The presence of vomiting.
- The development of diarrhea or constipation.
- Frequent dizziness.
- Insomnia along with headaches.
- Increased anxiety.
- The appearance of nervousness along with a sense of inner 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, as well as anxiety. They have absolutely no effect on any other emotions.
Another equally common myth about antidepressants is the fact that once starting treatment with these drugs, a person will have to continue to use them for the rest of his life. In fact, antidepressants do not cause any physical addiction and especially mental dependence. Just for the effectiveness of treatment, it is necessary to prescribe them to patients in 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).
- The tricyclic group is Paxil (Adepress, Plizil, Sirestill, Plizil).
- Selective inhibitors - "Prozac" ("Prodel", "Fluoxetine", "Profluzak").
- If you need a rejection of long-term bad habits, for example, smoking - “Zyban” (“NouSmok”, “Wellbutrin”).
- Herbal preparations - Persen, Deprim, Novo-Passit.
Antidepressants and Exercise
Against the background of sports training in the human body, hormones of joy, which are scientifically called endorphins, begin to be intensively produced. 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 drugs used.
Thus, in the presence of minor depression, it is best to go to the pool or gym instead of buying antidepressants in a pharmacy without a medical prescription. So a person will be able to not only improve his condition without the use of medications, but also it will bring many benefits to the whole organism as a whole.
End of antidepressant therapy
In the event that a person has started a course of treatment with antidepressants, then you can never stop it yourself without the permission of a doctor. This is due to the fact that any withdrawal of antidepressant use should be carried out slowly and gradually. Against the background of a sharp rejection of further therapy, depressive symptoms almost immediately return again. In addition, the symptoms may become even stronger than they were before the course of treatment. That is why the withdrawal of antidepressants should occur strictly according to the specified scheme, which was recommended by the attending physician.
Now we find out what ordinary people who had a chance to undergo treatment with these drugs think about the use of antidepressants.
Responses to Side Effects of Antidepressants
People speak differently about antidepressants, but are generally satisfied with the effect that is achieved thanks to their intake. In particular, it is reported that taking these medications actually helps to change your life for the better, when depression comes and it begins 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 words and phrases such as “helps,” “saves,” “manages to get out,” and so on.
On the speed of obtaining the result there is a wide variety of information. So, some write that they managed to notice the effect after the first few days of admission, while others report the result only after one month.
Among dissatisfied reviews, there is often a statement that the withdrawal of antidepressants is extremely difficult for patients. On this basis, apathy and depression overcome a person in full. In addition, they talk about the appearance of uncontrolled anger. Therefore, many claim that they began to feel even worse than before taking the medicine. As part of the commentary on such reviews, it should be recalled that antidepressants, with the least side effects including - this is not a toy at all, and they should be taken only as directed by the doctor.
It is not uncommon for people to talk about such a side effect as insomnia. On top of that, in some, taking the pill is accompanied by a decrease in libido. Some talk about the fact that they did not tolerate the course of administration as a whole, and 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, we’ll name the main advantages that people who use antidepressants talk about:
- Drugs are changing lives for the better, helping to get out of difficult situations.
- Eliminate feelings of depression, tearfulness, anxiety, irritability, and so on.
The disadvantages are the following disadvantages:
- High price.
- The development of side effects. Most often, it is insomnia and decreased libido.
- The need for a long reception.
- Some have worsened depression.
- Withdrawal syndrome.
Thus, today antidepressants are a good solution in the case of depression. In most reviews of antidepressants and side effects, people report their effectiveness. But it is extremely important to undergo treatment with these drugs only in accordance with medical recommendations, because otherwise, with independent therapy, your condition can only be aggravated.
Side effects of antidepressants and tranquilizers are very similar. But the main difference is that the former are addictive, while the latter are not.