Anti-Depressant Side Effects
Millions of Americans are currently taking prescription drugs to treat depression or other psychological disorders. Anti-depressant medications are even prescribed to help people quit smoking or cope with pre-menstrual syndrome. In fact, anti-depressants have become more widely prescribed than other drugs in the US.
For many people, these drugs have been useful in helping them cope with emotional problems. For some, however, they have only made their original problems worse. The most commonly prescribed anti-depressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Many commonly recognized prescription drugs are SSRIs, such as Lexapro, Zoloft, and Prozac.
The Risk of Side Effects
Potential side effects of SSRIs include:
- Suicidal impulses and increased aggressive behaviors, especially in patients under 24
- Changes in appetite leading to serious weight loss or gain
- Increased anxiety, possibly including panic attacks
- Rash (a sign of an allergy that needs immediate medical attention)
- Liver or kidney problems
The majority of people taking anti-depressants will not suffer severe side effects. However, even more mild side effects, like headache or insomnia, can interfere with a person’s daily functioning. Anyone taking a new medication needs to be supervised by a medical professional.
The Right to be Informed
Patients have a right to know all of the potential risks of any treatment they undergo. If their doctors fail to offer complete information, they can be held responsible for any injuries that result. Likewise, if pharmaceutical companies fail to make the benefits and dangers of their products public knowledge, they can be liable for patients’ injuries.
A Jacksonville anti-depressant side effect attorney can provide more information about pharmaceutical products and Florida law.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered severe medication effects that you were not warned about, contact Jacksonville medication side effect lawyer Don Guthrie at 904-296-1088.