It causes less sexual dysfunction than SSRIs. Side effects include restlessness, agitation, sleeplessness, headache, rashes, stomach problems, and in rare cases, hallucinations and bizarre thinking. High doses increase the risk for seizures, particularly in those with eating disorders or those with other risk factors for seizures. In a group who required higher doses of an antidepressant in order to obtain a response, venlafaxine was slightly more effective. Venlafaxine has a variety of side effects, and high blood pressure and depressed central nervous system function can occur in high doses.
Some patients report severe withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness and nausea.
The drug can also be combined with SSRIs. However, it may cause an abrupt drop in blood pressure after standing up suddenly. Other Designer Antidepressants . In one trial of patients with a high incidence of severe depression, mirtazapine was more effective than fluoxetine and it had fewer side effects. Maprotiline increases the chance for seizures in high-risk people and may cause heart rhythm disturbances.