Mental health has taken a front seat as the world has grappled with a global pandemic. Rates of anxiety and depression have skyrocketed as we all try to cope with our lives being turned upside down with isolation, fear and loss. A recent study published in JAMA reports that rates of depression has tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

What side effects are commonly associated with antidepressants?

 

Each type of antidepressant has different side effects that are commonly associated with its specific drug class, and within each drug class, each medication has slightly different side effects. However, some side effects are common for all or most antidepressants.

 

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Libido changes
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Dizziness
• Restlessness and anxiety

How can side effects associated with antidepressants be minimized or avoided?

Although antidepressants come with a long list of side effects, many people rely on the medication to improve their depression or anxiety, which means that quitting the medication is not an option. Fortunately, it is possible to mitigate or avoid some common side effects associated with different types of antidepressants.

 

How to Cope 

Nausea: Take your medication with food, eat small meals more frequently, and drink plenty of fluids.

Fatigue and drowsiness: Get in some form of physical activity, such as going for a brisk walk; take a nap during the day if needed; take your medication at bedtime

Insomnia: Take your medication in the morning; avoid caffeinated food and drinks; get regular exercise that ends several hours before bedtime

Constipation: Drink lots of water, eat foods with plenty of fiber, get regular exercise, and take a fiber supplement

Dry mouth: Drink plenty of water; breathe through your nose; avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine; brush your teeth twice daily

Sexual side effects: Engage in sexual activity before taking your medication dose, communicate with your partner about sexual side effects and necessary changes in routine, consider adding a medication that can improve sexual side effects, such as Viagra

Increased appetite and weight gain: Reduce your intake of sugar, count your calories and track your food, get regular exercise, and fill up on fruits, vegetables, and other healthy snacks that are high in fiber

Dizziness: Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position; avoid using caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco; drink lots of water; take your antidepressant at bedtime; use handrails or other sturdy items for support. Also salt your food as reuptake inhibitors can lower sodium levels in the body.

Restlessness and anxiety: Get regular exercise, practice deep-breathing or mindfulness exercises, and practice meditation

 

In addition to these recommendations, it is important to note that certain classes of antidepressants such as SSRI’s cause Medication Induced Nutrient Depletions (MIND). When a medication causes a loss of nutrients in the body, it may lead to symptoms and common complaints that are associated with the class of medication.

One way to improve how you feel while using an antidepressant is meeting your unique nutrient needs. Reuptake inhibitors increase the need for vitamin C, B vitamins, mitochondrial antioxidants, iodine and nutrients needed to make the sleep well neurotransmitter, melatonin. 

In addition to these recommendations, it is important to note that certain classes of antidepressants such as SSRI’s cause Medication Induced Nutrient Depletions (MIND). When a medication causes a loss of nutrients in the body, it may lead to symptoms and common complaints that are associated with the class of medication. 

As a result, the longer you’ve been taking antidepressants, the more long-term nutritional support you'll need to offset side effects that may occur from nutrient depletions that come with thos antidepressants. 

Thankfully, Even was created to be the sidekick to your medication, so you can rest assured that your body is getting help it needs from your meds without losing the important nutrients it needs to function during your day to day!

 

Designed to cover nutritient depletions and balance your biochemistry, Even helps you take advantage of the benefits your antidepressants provide without having to worry about the adverse effects that antidepressants can have on other processes in your body. Reuptake inhibitors increase the need for vitamin C, B vitamins, mitochondrial antioxidants, iodine, and nutrients -- just a handful of the crucial compounds that play a role in everyday bodily processes. 

With Even, you can offset this imbalance and meet your nutrient needs so you can check one more worry off your to-do list with just one pill a day