Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs); this is the original type of antidepressants (Marplan, Nardil, Parnate, Emsam)

Other antidepressant medications, commonly called atypical antidepressants, include: Cymbalta, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Remeron and Desyrel. They all affect the neurotransmitters in the body but do not fall under any of the three basic types of antidepressants.

The intended health benefits and negative side effects vary among the three types of antidepressants. The tricyclic antidepressant group generally causes the most serious negative side effects.

Typical Antidepressant Side Effects

Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects including but not limited to:

Nausea

Headaches

Sexual dysfunction

Anxiety

Weight gain

Sleepiness

Overdose is a Strong Possibility

About 15 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, making them the leading cause of death from drug overdosing. Antidepressants fall into this prescription drug category.

The most common cause of drug poisoning seen in an emergency room is antidepressants. Some antidepressants have a half-life of over 24 hours. The half-life of a drug indicates how long it remains active in the body. With a 24-hour or more half-life, users often take more and more of the drug and end up unintentionally overdosing.

The abusers of prescription drugs, antidepressants and otherwise, have a higher risk of overdose when they imbibe in alcohol or other drugs. According to the National Canter on Addiction and Substance Abuse, those abusers are: