Tricyclics
The tricyclics have been used to treat depression for a long time. They include amitriptyline (brand name: Elavil), desipramine (brand name: Norpramin), imipramine (brand name: Tofranil) and nortriptyline (brand name: Pamelor). Common side effects caused by these medicines include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, worsening of glaucoma, impaired thinking and tiredness. These antidepressants can also affect a person's blood pressure and heart rate.

SSRI's

SSRIs are a newer group of antidepressants and include drugs such as fluoxetine (brand name: Prozac), paroxetine (brand name: Paxil) and sertraline (brand name: Zoloft). These medicines tend to have fewer side effects than the tricyclics. Some of the side effects that can be caused by SSRIs include decreased appetite, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, headache, and sexual problems. People taking fluoxetine might also have a feeling of being unable to sit still. People taking paroxetine might have a dry mouth and feel tired. People taking sertraline might have runny stools and diarrhea.

Other:

The most common side effects in people taking venlafaxine (brand name: Effexor) include nausea and loss of appetite, anxiety and nervousness, headache, insomnia and tiredness. Dry mouth, constipation, weight loss, sexual problems, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and increased cholesterol levels can also occur.

Nefazodone (brand name: Serzone) can give people headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, constipation, dry mouth and tiredness.

There are newer antidepressants, such as bupropion (brand name: Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (brand name: Remeson), and trazodone (brand name: Desyrel). Bupropion can cause agitation, insomnia, headache and nausea. Mirtazapine can cause sedation, increased appetite, weight gain, dizziness, dry mouth and constipation. The most common side effects of trazodone are sedation and nausea.

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