Anxiety, headache, insomnia, etc. may occur.
If you suddenly stop taking antidepressants, side effects may occur, so it is necessary to take them for an appropriate period of time.
On the 8th, the Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management (hereinafter referred to as the Institute of Drug Safety) distributed 20,000 copies of the ‘Guide to the Safe Use of Antidepressants’ to approximately 400 mental health welfare centers and regional drug safety centers nationwide, and disclosed the correct use of antidepressants.
Antidepressants are drugs that treat depression by regulating various neurotransmitters related to mood. Some antidepressants have a wide range of uses, such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, somatization disorders (a condition in which multiple physical symptoms related to mental and psychological states occur and persist for more than two years, affecting daily life), and fibromyalgia, depending on the prescription.
Depending on the mechanism of action of the drug, it is divided into SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), SNRI (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), TCA (tricyclic antidepressant), and other antidepressants, and various side effects may appear depending on each class or ingredient.
Common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, and convulsions.
More serious adverse reactions, although rare, can be fatal, so if new symptoms such as worsening depressive symptoms, abnormal heart rate control, mental status changes, neuromuscular abnormalities, systemic allergic reactions, or anticholinergic effects appear after taking the drug, you should notify your medical staff or visit a hospital.
Antidepressants require consistent use for 4 to 6 weeks until they are fully effective, and even if symptoms improve, they should be continued for a certain period of time to prevent relapse. If you suddenly stop taking them, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, etc. may occur, so when stopping, you should consult with a doctor and gradually reduce the dosage.
If there is no effect even after taking it for an appropriate period of time, a different type of antidepressant may be taken at the doctor’s discretion.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, take only one dose at the time of the next dose. If you experience drowsiness, lack of concentration, or impaired motor skills, you should not drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery.
Also, when taking antidepressants, taking other medications at the same time can cause bleeding, nervous and psychiatric side effects, etc., so it is recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking them.
[서울=뉴시스]
2024-09-08 11:50:19