{"id":21580,"date":"2020-08-19T00:48:07","date_gmt":"2020-08-19T07:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/news\/news\/how-to-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-in-colorado-copy"},"modified":"2025-11-17T13:41:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T21:41:06","slug":"long-term-effects-of-antidepressant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/news\/long-term-effects-of-antidepressant","title":{"rendered":"The Long-Term Effects of Antidepressant, Anti-Anxiety, and Pain Meds and Natural Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"
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More Americans are taking antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and pain medications for an extended period of time. They\u2019re some of the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals in the United States today, and they\u2019re often prescribed for long-term use. For example, about <\/span>one in 10 Americans takes an antidepressant<\/span><\/a>. Despite how popular they are, we\u2019re only just starting to understand the long-term effects of these types of drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone taking these medications should consider the effects of long-term use and perhaps consider natural alternatives. With that said, Heally\u2019s functional medicine doctors can help provide a holistic path to treat the root cause of these types of health issues. All you have to do is <\/span>sign up to book your first telehealth appointment<\/span><\/a>. While holistic remedies may be recommended, it\u2019s important to consult with a physician before discontinuing any medication.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Long-Term Effects of Antidepressants<\/span><\/h2>\n

Antidepressants can come in several forms, including tricyclics (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).<\/span><\/p>\n

Depression typically occurs due to problems with the brain\u2019s neurotransmitters, most commonly serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine. Thus, these types of drugs work by changing how your neurotransmitters function. However, each neurotransmitter in your brain has multiple jobs, and while increasing the availability of neurotransmitters might improve depressive symptoms and alleviate neuropathic pain, it may also lead to other unwanted effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research from the Patient Preference and Adherence medical journal looked at these long-term side effects. They found that <\/span>30% of patients still had depressive symptoms<\/span><\/a> while using the medications, and many complained of common side effects, including:<\/span><\/p>\n