Treating depression usually involves antidepressants, and like all medications, they have side effects. Here's what to expect when taking antidepressants and how to cope with the effects you didn't expect. Headache, stomachache, diarrhea, nausea, drowsiness, and fatigue may be common when starting antidepressants. These side effects fade as your body adjusts to the medication. For nausea, try taking your meds with food, suck on sugarless candy, try antacids, and drink plenty of fluids. Brief naps during the day or an easy walk may relieve fatigue and drowsiness. On the flip side, some antidepressants have an energizing effect. You may feel restless or have trouble sleeping. Practice relaxing, limit caffeine, and don't exercise right before bed. Blurred vision and dry eyes may occur during the early weeks of treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, like Adapin, Endep, or Sinequan. These problems generally go away within a few weeks, but in the meantime, eye drops can relieve some of that discomfort. TCAs can also cause dry mouth and constipation - again, limit caffeine. Brushing teeth and sucking on ice chips or sugarless candy helps dry mouth, too. For constipation, eat high-fiber foods, drink six to eight glasses of water daily and exercise regularly. TCAs - as well as MAOIs, like Nardil or Parnate - may lower blood pressure, causing dizziness. To cope, rise slowly from your chair or bed, use sturdy items for support, drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, and take medication at bedtime. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Paxil, Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Lexapro, and Celexa, as well as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, like Effexor, Cymbalta, and Remeron, because they have the fewest side effects overall. Sexual side effects are also possible, such as inability to become aroused and difficulty achieving orgasm. TACs, specifically, are more likely to cause erectile dysfunction. There are many ways to cope with these side effects. You can add or switch to an antidepressant not associated with sexual dysfunction, like Wellbutrin or Remeron. Sexual activity might be better before taking your medication. See your doctor about stopping your medication once a week, or try medication for sexual dysfunction. Everyone reacts differently to antidepressants, so talk with your doctor about the side effects you experience and read the medication information provided by your pharmacy.