What if My Mental Health Meds are Giving Me Side Effects?

There are so many side effect possibilities from medications. Any time you watch TV and see an ad for a prescription medication you hear a long list of potential side effects and a lot of them can sound scary. Unfortunately, medications for mental health concerns are no different from general medications. They too can cause side effects. So, what do you do if your needed medication causes side effects that you do tolerate well? Let’s talk about a couple of common side effects in psychiatric medications today in this article.

Before we dive in, I want to note that I am not promoting any specific medication nor am I compensated by the pharmaceutical companies to list their medications in this blog.

In addition, I want to stress all medications have the potential for side effects. Not every person has every side effect, and sometimes people will not have any side effects with medications. Finding the right medication is about finding a balance between treating your mental health symptoms and having only minor side effects.

A very common question is, “My antidepressant is making it difficult to orgasm and I did not have this issue before I started the med. What can I do?” Many people are nervous to ask their psychiatrists about sexual side effects from medications and it is important to remember that your psychiatrist is here to work with you and help you with your quality of life.

Also, psychiatrists are medical doctors, so we are trained to speak with you in a nonjudgemental manner about many biological functions. Please speak with your psychiatrist if you are having difficulties with reaching orgasm, achieving erection, having delayed ejaculation, or decreased libido since you began a medication.

Many medications for depression and anxiety are known to cause sexual side effects in people. Examples of these medications are fluoxetine, brand name Prozac, and citalopram, brand name Celexa, though there are others too. After you let your psychiatrist know about your sexual side effects and they will either add on a medication or switch your medication to another that does not affect your sex drive. Examples of these medications are bupropion, brand name Wellbutrin, and mirtazapine, brand name Remeron.

Another common question is, “I think my psych meds are making me gain weight. Is that possible?” Weight gain can happen for a number of reasons, and sometimes psychiatric medications contribute to weight gain by causing increased appetite and/or changes in glucose, or sugar, metabolism.

Clozapine, brand name Clozaril, and olanzapine, brand name Zyprexa are two examples of medications that are well-known for causing weight gain in those who take the medication. The two medications are used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health concerns. If you take either of these 2 medications and you are worried about the amount of weight you have gained, please contact your psychiatrist and ask if there are other options such as ziprasidone, brand name Geodon, or aripiprazole, brand name Abilify. There are also other medications options available.

The most important thing to remember is to work closely with your psychiatrist to find a treatment that makes you feel comfortable.

If you would like me to be the psychiatrist to help you manage your symptoms and side effects so you feel your best, please go to my website, Freedom-Psychiatry.com, click on the “Book Appointment” button and schedule your free 15 minute consultation with me, Dr. Mills. 

Thanks for reading, have a great week, and remember, Mental Health is Freedom!