Drugs and Their Side Effects

Anti-anxiety (Benzodiazepines)

• Examples: Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, Restoril

  Common Side Effects:

• Cognitive / Behavioral:

  • Drowsiness and sedation

  • Memory impairment (especially short-term memory)

  • Slowed reaction time and confusion

  • Emotional detachment or flat affect

• Physical:

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

  • Muscle weakness or lack of coordination

  • Slurred speech

  • Blurred vision

• Psychological / Dependence-Related:

  • Rapid tolerance (needing higher doses)

  • Dependence and withdrawal (can occur after weeks of use)

  • Rebound anxiety and insomnia when stopping

  • Irritability, agitation, or panic upon withdrawal

• Withdrawal Symptoms (can be severe):

  • Tremors, sweating, and nausea

  • Heart palpitations

  • Muscle cramps

  • Seizures (in abrupt cessation of long-term use)

• Examples: Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil, Luvox

  Common Side Effects:

• Emotional / Mental:

  • Emotional blunting or “numbness”

  • Reduced motivation or apathy

  • Anxiety or agitation (especially early in treatment)

  • Insomnia or vivid dreams

• Physical:

  • Nausea, diarrhea, or upset stomach

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue or drowsiness

  • Tremors or restlessness

  • Increased sweating

• Sexual:

  • Decreased libido (very common)

  • Delayed orgasm or inability to orgasm

  • Erectile dysfunction

• Metabolic / Other:

  • Weight gain (particularly with long-term use)

  • Hyponatremia (low sodium, especially in older adults)

  • Bruxism (jaw clenching or teeth grinding)

• Withdrawal / Discontinuation Symptoms:

  • “Brain zaps” (electric shock sensations)

  • Dizziness, nausea, flu-like symptoms

  • Irritability, crying spells, anxiety spikes

  • Rebound depression or insomnia

Anti-depressants (SSRIs)

Sources

• “The Use of Medicines in the U.S. 2023”

• “Antidepressant Dispensing to U.S. Adolescents and Young Adults”

• “Emotional Blunting in Patients With Depression …”

• “SSRI-Induced Indifference”

• “Why Antidepressants Cause Emotional Blunting, Study Uncovers”

• “Antidepressants and ’Emotional Blunting’: What Happens in the Brain?”

• “The rate of antidepressants prescribed to young people surged during the pandemic”

• “Emotional Blunting, Cognitive Impairment, Bone Fractures, and …”

Studies Hub

Links to detailed research.

Persistent Side Effects

Long‑term harms from previous use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Danborg, P. B., & Gøtzsche, P. C. (2019). Long-term harms from previous use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: A systematic review. International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, 30(2), 59-71.

Withdrawal

A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects

Davies, J., & Read, J. (2019). A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based? Addictive Behaviors, 97, 111-121.

Long-term Adverse Effects

Persistent adverse effects of antidepressants

Moncrieff, J. (2021). Persistent adverse effects of antidepressants. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 30, e63.

Benzodiazepine Discontinuation

Benzodiazepine Discontinuation and Mortality

Ettman, C. K., Cohen, G. H., Abdalla, S. M., Trinacty, C. M., Mark Olfson, M., & Galea, S. (2024). Discontinuation and Mortality Among Patients With Long-Term Benzodiazepine Therapy. JAMA Network Open, 7(1), e2353346.

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