Antidepressants and Other Medications
Antidepressants can interact and change the effectiveness of other medications. It is important to discuss with your doctor all medications you may be taking, even over the counter medicines or herbal supplements.
An article in the Los Angeles Times in February, 2008, indicated that a combination of over the counter drugs, sleeping aids, other prescription drugs, herbal supplements, alcohol and antidepressants can cause many problems and sometimes even death.
Antidepressants and Suicide
The Federal Food and Drug Administration requires all depression medications to carry a warning regarding the increased risk of suicide, hostility and aggression the medicine may cause in children and adolescents. There is a current recommendation to extend this warning to include people between the ages of 18 and 24. Any person taking these medications needs to be monitored by a physician. Special care should be taken to watch for signs of depression or suicidal thoughts when dosage is changed or a new medication begins.
Some of the signs to be aware of are:
• Increased thoughts of suicide
• Increased depression
• Increased anxiety
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Aggressiveness or irritability
• Impulsiveness
If any of these symptoms appear suddenly or are severe, your physician should be contacted immediately.
Coping With Side Effects
Living with anxiety can be devastating and medication can be effective in relieving symptoms. Many people, however, discontinue medication because of the side effects. For most people, side effects last only a few weeks and then will disappear. However, when they are serious or do not go away, you should speak with your physician. There are ways to minimize the side effects:
Nausea
• Take the antidepressant with food and drink plenty of fluids such as unsweetened fruit juice, ginger ale or water.
• Use anti-nausea medication such as Pepto-Bismol or antacids
• Try a medicine that comes in extended release, if possible
