What factors influence drug effects?

Factors influencing drug effects

Type of drug.
Quantity of drug used.
Method of drug use.
Time taken to consume.
Tolerance.
Gender, size and amount of muscle.
Use of other psycho-active drugs.
Mood or attitude.

How can we reduce the side effects of drugs?

How to Deal With Side Effects of Medicine

Ask for Help. When your doctor prescribes a new medicine, ask about common side effects.
Make a List of All Your Medicines. When you talk to your doctor, have a list of all other medications or supplements you’re taking — both prescription and over-the-counter.
Get Your Doctor’s OK.

How long do drug side effects last?

Most side effects are temporary and will go away after you take the medicine for a few weeks. Some side effects may not go away, but usually there are ways you can learn to manage these problems. If the side effects bother you, your doctor may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine.

Do side effects of antidepressants go away?

Antidepressant side effects often go away after a few weeks, but your doctor may adjust your dosing or recommend a different treatment regimen if needed.

How do you know if your antidepressant is too high?

Signs and symptoms include:

Agitation or restlessness.
Confusion.
Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
Dilated pupils.
Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles.
Muscle rigidity.
Heavy sweating.
Diarrhea.

What drug is happy pill?

“Happy pills” — in particular the anxiolytic drugs Miltown and Valium and the antidepressant Prozac — have been spectacularly successful “products” over the last 5 decades, largely because they have widespread off label use. Miltown, launched in the 1950s, was the first “blockbuster” psychotropic drug in the US.

What are long term effects of antidepressants?

Some recent studies have suggested serious potential risks. People who used antidepressants had a 14% higher risk of heart attacks and strokes and a 33% greater risk of death, according to findings in a meta-analysis of 17 studies that was published in 2017 in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.

What is the hardest antidepressant to come off of?

Hardest-to-Stop Antidepressants

citalopram) (Celexa)
escitalopram (Lexapro)
paroxetine (Paxil)
sertraline (Zoloft)

How do I stop taking antidepressants?

Make a plan. Going off an antidepressant usually involves reducing your dose in increments, allowing two to six weeks between dose reductions. Your clinician can instruct you in tapering your dose and prescribe the appropriate dosage pills for making the change.

How long does it take to feel normal after stopping antidepressants?

Withdrawal symptoms usually come on within 5 days of stopping the medicine and generally last for up to 6 weeks. Some people have severe withdrawal symptoms that last for several months or more. See your doctor if you get severe withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking antidepressants.

What happens when you stop taking anti anxiety medication?

If you abruptly stop taking your medication, you may experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as: Increased anxiety, restlessness, shaking. Insomnia, confusion, stomach pain. Depression, confusion, panic attacks.

What is a brain zap?

Brain zaps are electrical shock sensations in the brain. They can happen in a person who is decreasing or stopping their use of certain medications, particularly antidepressants. Brain zaps are not harmful and will not damage the brain. However, they can be bothersome, disorienting, and disruptive to sleep.

Why do you gain weight on antidepressants?

Antidepressants interfere with serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety and mood while also controlling appetite. In particular, these changes may increase cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, pasta, and desserts. When people are depressed, their appetites are affected.

Which anxiety medication helps with weight loss?

Most antidepressant medicines cause weight gain as a side effect. Bupropion is an antidepressant that may lead to weight loss in some people.