Precautions To Take Before Taking Anti-depressants

Psychiatrists often prescribe anti-depressant medication for patients who are severely depressed

. However, there are precautions you need to take before accepting a prescription for anti-depressants, as they can be dangerous if used inappropriately. Pregnant women should be especially careful, as there have been cases of Paxil birth defects and Zoloft birth defects , and babies born while on Topamax may suffer from a Topamax cleft palate.

Risk of Suicide

Anti-depressant medication increases the risk of suicide in some patients. Some people have suicidal thoughts that they don't act on because they are too depressed and lethargic to do so. When these people begin taking anti-depressants, their energy increases enough that they can follow through with their plans and commit suicide.

For this reason, it's important that psychiatrists evaluate patients carefully before prescribing anti-depressant medication. Patients who are suicidal should be monitored carefully while on this medication, especially during the first few weeks of taking the medicine. Patients should not take this medication if they live alone or are alone in the house for long periods of time.

Worsening of Other Mental Health Conditions

If a patient suffers from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, he or she should not take anti-depressant medications. These medications can make the mood swings associated with bipolar disorder worse. In addition, some patients experience increased anxiety and agitation, similar to manic phases of bipolar disorder. Schizophrenic patients are at risk of developing worse symptoms of schizophrenia if they take anti-depressants. Anti-depressants can cause hallucinations and feelings of paranoia in schizophrenic patients.

Risks to Unborn Fetuses

You should not take anti-depressants if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Zoloft and Paxil have both been proven to greatly increase the risk of birth defects. Babies whose mothers took these drugs are two to three times more likely to be born with a heart defect. Children whose mothers take Topamax are 20 times more likely to be born with a cleft palate--a serious condition that often requires corrective surgery soon after birth.

Interactions With Other Drugs

Anti-depressants can cause negative reactions if you are also on other medication, so you should talk to your doctor about other medications before beginning a course of anti-depressants. These drugs may also interact with over-the-counter medications; studies show that anti-depressants are not effective when combined with aspirin or ibuprofen. Always consult your doctor before taking any type of medication, including non-prescription medication, if you are on anti-depressants.

by: George D. Williams

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