SNRI Side Effects: An Overview
As with any type of medicine, there are possible side effects with
SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). However, not everyone who takes an SNRI will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate them well. When SNRI effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. There are also several factors that seem to affect the chances of developing side effects, including:
- The dosage and type of SNRI
- Age
- Other medical conditions
- Other medicines being taken at the same time.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the side effects with SNRIs. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of SNRI side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of SNRIs
Each SNRI has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine.
This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of SNRIs include:
- Abnormal dreams
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Body weakness
- Chills
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness, fatigue, or weakness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Increased sweating
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation
- Sexual problems, including decreased sex drive (libido), ejaculation problems, impotence (erectile dysfunction or ED), or orgasm problems in women
- Shakiness (tremor)
- Vision changes
- Yawning.