Antidepressant Drugs

Breakdown

Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants can cause worsening depression, anxiety, panic attacks, hostility, aggression, psychosis, violence and suicidality. In addition, numerous studies show them to be no more effective than placebo.

Antidepressant Warnings:

There have been 151 warnings from 11 countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, United Kingdom and United States) and the European Union warning that antidepressants cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some warnings cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of warnings):

  • 37 warnings on antidepressants causing suicide risk or suicidal behavior
  • 27 warnings on antidepressants causing cardiovascular disorders
  • 25 warnings on antidepressants causing heart problems
  • 20 warnings on antidepressants causing Serotonin Syndrome
  • 19 warnings on antidepressants causing blood pressure changes or high or low blood pressure
  • 19 warnings on antidepressants causing newborn complications
  • 16 warnings on antidepressants causing birth defects
  • 13 warnings on antidepressants causing hostility or aggression
  • 12 warnings on antidepressants causing agitation
  • 12 warnings on antidepressants causing liver problems
  • 11 warnings on antidepressants causing withdrawal reactions
  • 9 warnings on antidepressants causing abnormal bleeding
  • 9 warnings on antidepressants causing involuntary movements
  • 9 warnings on antidepressants causing self-harm
  • 8 warnings on antidepressants causing blood disorders
  • 7 warnings on antidepressants causing anxiety
  • 6 warnings on antidepressants causing hallucinations
  • 6 warnings on antidepressants causing mania or psychosis
  • 6 warnings on antidepressants causing seizures or convulsions
  • 5 warnings on antidepressants causing eye problems
  • 4 warnings on antidepressants causing allergic reactions
  • 4 warnings on antidepressants causing gastrointestinal problems
  • 4 warnings on antidepressants causing lack of efficacy
  • 4 warnings on antidepressants causing muscle problems
  • 4 warnings on antidepressants causing skin conditions
  • 3 warnings on antidepressants causing abnormal behavior
  • 3 warnings on antidepressants causing death or increased risk of death
  • 3 warnings on antidepressants causing nervous system disorders
  • 3 warnings on antidepressants causing Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (a life-threatening neurological disorder)
  • 3 warnings on antidepressants causing sexual dysfunction
  • 3 warnings on antidepressants causing sleep problems
  • 3 warnings on antidepressants causing violence
  • 2 warnings on antidepressants causing depression
  • 2 warnings on antidepressants causing heart attacks
  • 2 warnings on antidepressants causing irritability
  • 2 warnings on antidepressants causing risk of falls
  • 2 warnings on antidepressants causing stroke
  • 2 warnings on antidepressants causing infant withdrawal symptoms
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing birth complications
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing coma
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing diabetes
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing homicidal ideation
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing pregnancy complications
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing premature birth
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing risk of fractures
  • 1 warning on antidepressants causing weight gain

Antidepressant Studies:

There are 279 studies from 35 countries (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States) showing that antidepressants drugs cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some studies cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of studies):

  • 49 studies on antidepressants causing newborn complications
  • 27 studies on antidepressants causing suicide risk or attempts
  • 26 studies on antidepressants causing cardiovascular disorders
  • 22 studies on antidepressants causing abnormal bleeding
  • 22 studies on antidepressants causing birth defects
  • 21 studies on antidepressants causing lack of efficacy
  • 16 studies on antidepressants causing death or increased risk of death
  • 16 studies on antidepressants causing risk of falls
  • 15 studies on antidepressants causing heart problems
  • 15 studies on antidepressants causing risk of fractures
  • 15 studies on antidepressants causing sexual dysfunction
  • 13 studies on antidepressants causing pregnancy complications
  • 12 studies on antidepressants causing gastrointestinal problems
  • 10 studies on antidepressants causing birth complications
  • 10 studies on antidepressants causing involuntary movements
  • 10 studies on antidepressants causing premature birth
  • 9 studies on antidepressants causing nervous system disorders
  • 9 studies on antidepressants causing stroke
  • 7 studies on antidepressants causing diabetes
  • 7 studies on antidepressants causing eye problems
  • 7 studies on antidepressants causing lowered bone mass
  • 7 studies on antidepressants causing withdrawal reactions
  • 6 studies on antidepressants causing blood disorders
  • 6 studies on antidepressants causing violence
  • 5 studies on antidepressants causing developmental disorders
  • 5 studies on antidepressants causing hostility or aggression
  • 5 studies on antidepressants causing mania or psychosis
  • 5 studies on antidepressants causing reproductive system disorders
  • 5 studies on antidepressants causing self-harm
  • 5 studies on antidepressants causing sleep problems
  • 4 studies on antidepressants causing cancer
  • 4 studies on antidepressants causing liver problems
  • 4 studies on antidepressants causing skin conditions
  • 4 studies on antidepressants causing weight gain
  • 3 studies on antidepressants causing allergic reactions
  • 3 studies on antidepressants causing blood pressure changes or high or low blood pressure
  • 3 studies on antidepressants causing dementia
  • 3 studies on antidepressants causing seizures
  • 2 studies on antidepressants causing depression
  • 2 studies on antidepressants causing heart attacks
  • 2 studies on antidepressants causing homicide or homicidal ideation
  • 2 studies on antidepressants causing impaired driving
  • 2 studies on antidepressants causing infant withdrawal symptoms
  • 1 study on antidepressants causing abnormal behavior
  • 1 study on antidepressants causing agitation
  • 1 study on antidepressants causing anxiety
  • 1 study on antidepressants causing hallucinations
  • 1 study on antidepressants causing irritability
  • 1 study on antidepressants causing muscle problems
  • 1 study on antidepressants causing Serotonin Syndrome

Top Reactions for All Ages

There have been 135,587 Adverse Drug Reactions in connection with antidepressants that have been reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (MedWatch), between 2004 and 2012.

The FDA estimates that less than 1% of all serious events are ever reported to it, so the actual number of side effects occurring are most certainly higher.

  • 10,707 cases of drug withdrawal syndrome
  • 10,210 cases of nausea
  • 9,508 cases of dizziness
  • 9,399 cases of the drug being ineffective
  • 8,376 cases of anxiety
  • 7,774 cases of headache
  • 7,750 cases of insomnia
  • 7,659 cases of depression
  • 6,814 cases of suicidal Ideation
  • 6,134 cases of fatigue

Documented Side Effects of Antidepressants:

Source: Physicians Desk Reference, National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus, and/or the drug label.

  • Abnormal bleeding/bruising
  • Abnormal thoughts
  • Agitation
  • Akathisia (severe restlessness)
  • Anxiety
  • Black tongue
  • Blurred/changes in vision
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Crushing chest pain
  • Decreased memory/concentration
  • Delirium
  • Delusions
  • Depression
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Dizziness/faintness
  • Emotional numbing
  • Extreme restlessness
  • Fainting
  • Hallucinations
  • Heart attacks
  • Hostility
  • Hyperactivity
  • Hypomania
  • Insomnia
  • Jaundice
  • Lethargy
  • Liver problems
  • Low white blood cell count
  • Mania
  • Manic reactions
  • Memory lapses
  • Mood swings
  • Muscle spasms
  • Nervousness
  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
  • Nightmares
  • Numbness in extremities
  • Panic attacks
  • Paranoia
  • Psychotic episodes
  • Sedation
  • Seizures
  • Severe headache
  • Severe muscle stiffness
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Shakiness
  • Shuffling walk
  • Slow/difficult speech
  • Stroke
  • Suicidal thoughts/behavior
  • Violent behavior
  • Weight gain
Please Note: No one should attempt to get off psychiatric drugs without doctor's supervision.
Our Impact
Find out about our accomplishments
SEE IMPACT
Become a Hero
There are many ways to help out—find out how
TAKE ACTION
Report Abuse
Parents—Report mental health abuses here
FILE ABUSE

The Fate of the future is in your hands