Marianne Geiger, M.D.

September 6, 2010

Side Effects of Specific Medications

Can any antidepressant cause me to feel shaky and jittery?

Ever since starting Celexa three weeks ago I’ve had persistent heartburn. What should I do?

I just started taking Prozac two days ago. Today I’m feeling shaky and my heart is racing. Could these be side effects?

I took my first dose of Remeron last night and I was so groggy today that I barely made it to work. Should I take another dose tonight or stop it?

Q: Can any antidepressant cause me to feel shaky and jittery?

A: Yes. Almost all of them can cause a jittery feeling in select people. (See Prozac for further details.) return to top

Q: Ever since starting Celexa three weeks ago I’ve had persistent heartburn. What should I do?

A: You may experience a mild heartburn for a few days when you first begin your Celexa. If so, try taking your Celexa with food. If your heartburn continues beyond a few days or it is more than mild and doesn't seem to be going away, stop taking it and contact your doctor’s office to ask about taking a different antidepressant, which may not cause the heartburn. return to top

Q: I just started taking Prozac two days ago. Today I’m feeling shaky and my heart is racing. Could these be side effects?

A: Yes. Prozac is well known to have an energizing effect, which may be experienced as a jittery feeling when you first start it or when you increase the dose. The shakes are usually mild and will disappear in a few days. If your symptoms are more severe you may need to stop the Porzac and try a different antidepressant. return to top

Q: I took my first dose of Remeron last night and I was so groggy today that I barely made it to work. Should I take another dose tonight or stop it?

A: Probably yes. Though Remeron causes some initial grogginess, it diminishes rapidly over the first few days. You may want to consider starting the Remeron before a weekend or at a time when you don’t have to work for two to three days to give your system time to adapt. If you are still very sleepy four or five days after staring it, you may need to change the dose. Contact your doctor’s office. return to top

Other Categories

Medications and Illness

Side Effects of Specific Medications

General Side Effects of Medications

Change in the Effect of Medications

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