Other Antidepressants for Depression

Bupropion, duloxetine, mirtazapine, trazodone, and venlafaxine have different side effects than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), cyclic antidepressants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Trazodone has numerous side effects, and in rare cases, some can be severe.

The most common side effects of each of these medicines are listed below.

Bupropion possible side effects

• Weight loss of more than 5 lb (2.3 kg)
• Agitation, confusion, nervousness, and anxiety

In rare cases, bupropion can cause other adverse effects such as allergic reactions, dry mouth, headaches, heart palpitations, and seizures.

Bupropion may trigger Reference seizures Opens New Window in some people. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have a history of seizures or Reference eating disorders Opens New Window.

Desvenlafaxine possible side effects

• Constipation
• Not feeling hungry
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Odd dreams

Duloxetine possible side effects

• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Fatigue
• Sleepiness
• Increased sweating
• Sexual dysfunction

More serious side effects are rare but can include liver problems (particularly in people who drink a lot of alcohol), increased blood pressure, Reference mania Opens New Window or hypomania, seizures, and mydriasis (pupil dilation), which can cause problems for people with narrow-angle glaucoma.

When you stop using duloxetine, side effects can include dizziness, nausea, headache, Reference paresthesia Opens New Window (abnormal touch sensation or tingling), vomiting, irritability, and nightmares.

Mirtazapine possible side effects

• Drowsiness
• Increased appetite or weight gain
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation

Other more serious side effects are rare but can include agranulocytosis (insufficient white blood cell count), allergic reactions, and liver or pancreas problems.

Trazodone possible side effects

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Blurred vision
• Weight gain
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Headache
• Nausea

Side effects may also include Reference priapism Opens New Window, a painful condition in which the penis stays erect. If this happens, call your doctor at once.

Venlafaxine possible side effects

• Constipation
• Headaches
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Slight increase in cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Sexual dysfunction
• Enlarged (dilated) pupils

When you stop using venlafaxine, side effects can include dizziness, nausea, headache, abnormal touch sensation or tingling (Reference paresthesia Opens New Window), vomiting, irritability, and nightmares.

Venlafaxine makes bleeding more likely in the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach and esophagus). Taking venlafaxine with NSAIDs (such as Aleve or Advil) makes bleeding even more likely. Taking medicines that control acid in the stomach may help.^{Reference 1}

FDA advisories

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Reference advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for Reference warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when the doses are changed.
• The FDA recommends people at risk for Reference glaucoma Opens New Window be watched for signs of pupil dilation (mydriasis) when taking venlafaxine.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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