| Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) | | | Generic name (brand name) | Side effects | | citalopram (Celexa) | Nausea; diarrhea or constipation; weight loss or gain; anxiety; insomnia (occasionally drowsiness); headache; sweating; dry mouth; and sexual problems (see “Sexuality and SSRIs�?. Bleeding problems are uncommon, but do sometimes occur. | | escitalopram (Lexapro) | | fluoxetine (Prozac) | | fluvoxamine (Luvox) | | paroxetine (Paxil) | | sertraline (Zoloft) | | Note: For precautions regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy, see Expectant and New Mothers. | | | How SSRIs Work | |  When neurotransmitters such as serotonin bind with receptors on a neighboring neuron, they carry the impulse to the next cell. But in someone with an anxiety disorder, the cell that released the serotonin may reabsorb it too quickly. As a result, there may not be enough serotonin available to bind to the next cell and allow the signal to pass. SSRIs slow the reuptake of serotonin, leaving more of this neurotransmitter in the synapse. This permits it to work for a longer time, improving the transmission of nerve impulses. | | Newer Antidepressants | | | Generic name (brand name) | Side effects | | bupropion (Wellbutrin) | Anxiety; dry mouth; sweating; loss of appetite; sleep problems
Can trigger seizures and psychosis in people who have an underlying condition that makes them vulnerable to these problems | | duloxetine (Cymbalta) | Nausea; dry mouth; dizziness; sexual problems; anxiety; loss of appetite; at higher doses, rise in blood pressure | | mirtazapine (Remeron) | Drowsiness or sedation; constipation; dry mouth; increased appetite; weight gain | | venlafaxine (Effexor) | Nausea; insomnia; dry mouth; dizziness; sleep problems; sexual problems; blurred vision; anxiety; loss of appetite; at higher doses, rise in blood pressure | | Note: For precautions regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy, see Expectant and New Mothers. | | | Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) | | | Generic name (brand name) | Side effects | | amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) | Dry mouth; blurred vision; dizziness when changing postures (for example, going from sitting to standing); drowsiness; weight gain; constipation; trouble urinating; disturbance of heart rhythm (arrhythmia) | | clomipramine (Anafranil) | | imipramine (Tofranil) | | nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) | | Note: For precautions regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy, see Expectant and New Mothers. | | | Mood Stabilizers | | | Generic name (brand name) | Side effects | | lithium carbonate (Eskalith, Lithonate) | Excessive thirst; frequent urination; memory problems and poor concentration; tremors; weight gain; drowsiness; diarrhea; occasional low-thyroid problems or, more rarely, heart or kidney problems over time | | carbamazepine (Tegretol) | Fatigue; nausea; dizziness; unsteadiness; double or blurred vision
Rarely: lowered blood cell counts; impaired liver function | | gabapentin (Neurontin) | Coordination problems; abnormal dreams or thinking; anemia; irregular heartbeat; agitation or nervousness | | lamotrigine (Lamictal) | Fatigue; rash; headache; blurred or double vision; dizziness; nausea; memory or concentration problems
Rarely: lowered blood cell counts; impaired liver function | | topiramate (Topamax) | Lack of coordination; dizziness; abdominal pain; fatigue; memory difficulties; nervousness; drowsiness; speech problems; nausea; tremors; sensations such as tingling, burning, or hypersensitivity; rapid movement of the eyes; upper respiratory infections; mood problems
Rarely: abdominal pain; weight loss | | valproate (Depakote) | Nausea, indigestion, vomiting, or diarrhea; tremors; sedation; hair loss; increased appetite and weight gain
Rarely: impaired liver function; lowered blood cell counts; inflamed pancreas | | Note: For precautions regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy, see Expectant and New Mothers. | | | Antipsychotics | | | Generic name (brand name) | Side effects | | clozapine (Clozaril) | Drowsiness; excess salivation; dry mouth; blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; transient fever; rapid heartbeat; seizures at higher doses; potentially dangerous drop in white blood cell counts, which requires frequent, regular monitoring | | olanzapine (Zyprexa) | Drowsiness; weight gain; dry mouth; dizziness; weakness; upset stomach or constipation; anxiety or agitation; headache; fast heartbeat
Rarely: movement disorders; seizures; very low blood pressure | | quetiapine (Seroquel) | Headache; drowsiness; dizziness; constipation; dry mouth; weight gain; rapid heart rate or low blood pressure; upset stomach; altered liver or thyroid function
Rarely: movement disorders; low blood cell counts; seizures | | risperidone (Risperdal) | Drowsiness; anxiety; dizziness; constipation or diarrhea; nausea or stomach upset; rapid heart rate; increased dreaming; visual disturbances; weight gain
Rarely: movement disorders | | Note: For precautions regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy, see Expectant and New Mothers. | | | Anti-Anxiety Medications | | | Generic name (brand name) | Side effects | Benzodiazepines including:
alprazolam (Xanax)
clonazepam (Klonopin)
lorazepam (Ativan) | Clumsiness or unsteadiness; drowsiness; cognitive impairment; dizziness; headache; tolerance may develop | | buspirone (BuSpar) | Chest pain; dizziness; headache; nausea | | Note: For precautions regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy, see Expectant and New Mothers. | | | Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) | | | Generic name (brand name) | Side effects | | isocarboxazid (Marplan) | Dizziness when changing postures; diarrhea; nervousness or trembling; drowsiness; mild headache; weight gain, with cravings for sweets; disturbed sleep
Rarely: dangerously high blood pressure if foods containing tyramine are eaten; abnormal liver function | | phenelzine (Nardil) | | tranylcypromine (Parnate) | | Note: All antidepressants may cause agitation and restlessness; involuntary movements, such as tics and tremors; and suicidal thoughts or behaviors, particularly in the first weeks of treatment. These side effects are rare. | | Note: For precautions regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy, see Expectant and New Mothers. | | |
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