Possible Side Effects of
Antidepressant Medications
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Antidepressant medications used for back, neck, or extremity pain include ELAVIL (amitriptyline), PAMELOR (nortriptyline HCI), PAXIL (paroxetine hydrochloride), ZOLOFT (sertraline hydrochloride), DESYREL (trazodone), and PROZAC. These are used specifically for pain control and act by a mechanism called serotonin re-uptake antagonism. They are especially useful in controlling pain during the recovery of nerve from a disease or an operation.
Possible Side Effects of Antidepressant Medications
Antidepressant medications may impair mental and physical abilities required for driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. Altered mental status can also occur with confusion, disorientation, and possibly including seizures or coma.
Heart disease may be precipitated by use of antidepressant agents, although this is uncommon. They may cause lightheadedness from low blood pressure or high blood pressure and possible acceleration of heart rate.
Urinary retention, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, or rash may occur, as well as difficulty with blood counts.
Antidepressant medications may also cause nausea, epigastric distress, vomiting, abnormal taste sensations, and, rarely, hepatitis.
After prolonged administration, ceasing use of these medications may cause nausea, headache, or malaise.
ZOLOFT is a very benign antidepressant medication in terms of side effects. ZOLOFT, however, should not be used in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as MARPLAN (isocarvoxazid), NARDIL (phenelzine), and PARNATE (tranylcypromine). ZOLOFT has not been shown to impair the ability of patients to perform complex motor tasks. The mostcommon adverse reactions seen with ZOLOFT are gastrointestinal complaints including nausea, diarrhea, loose stools, dyspepsia, tremor, dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, increased sweating and dry mouth. Patients may lose a pound or two while taking this medication.
PAXIL is also a relatively benign antidepressant medication in terms of side effects. The most common side effects are somnolence, insomnia, agitation, tremor, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, vomiting and sweating.
Concluding Guidelines
It is important to avoid alcohol while using any of the above medications (with the exception of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Medications).
While you are taking narcotic pain medications, it is imperative that you do not drive a vehicle.
If you feel that you are having a reaction to your medication, contact your physician. If you have been using any medication longer than six months, ask you physician if you should have blood tests performed.
See links below for possible side effects of other classes of drugs:
Narcotic pain medication
Anti-seizure medications, also known as anticonvulsants
Steroids
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
Antidepressants
Muscle relaxants
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