Like any other medicine, antidepressants do have side effects but the good news is that most of these side effects are minor and go away after several days of taking the medications. The most common side effects expected from antidepressants and the ways to manage them are:

Dry Mouth: Drink lots of water, chew sugarless gum, and clean teeth daily.

Constipation: Drink at least six eight-ounce glasses of water every day; eat bran cereals; eat salads twice a day; exercise daily.

Bladder Problems: The effects of some antidepressants, especially the tricyclic antidepressants may make it difficult for you to start the stream of urine. If it takes you over five minutes to start the stream, call your doctor.

Blurred Vision: The tricyclic antidepressants may make it difficult for you to read. If reading is important to you the effects of the antidepressant can be compensated for by a change in glasses.

Dizziness: Dizziness when getting out of bed or when standing up from a chair stairs may be a problem when taking tricyclic antidepressants. Changing posture slowly may help prevent this kind of dizziness. Drinking adequate amounts of liquid and eating enough salt each day is important. Be sure to speak to your doctor if this side effect is severe.

Drowsiness: This side effect often passes as you get used to taking the antidepressant that has been prescribed for you. If you are drowsy be sure not to drive or operate dangerous machinery.

Sexual Side Effects: Both lowered sexual desire and difficulty having an orgasm, in both men and women, are problems common to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Luvox. This is also a problem with and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as Nardil and Parnate. There is no treatment for decreased sexual interest except lowering the dose or switching to a drug that does not have sexual side effects such as bupropion (Wellbutrin).