Dry mouth is an uncomfortable sensation of dryness due to reduced saliva. It can lead to dental caries, decreased taste, and gum inflammation.

Diarrhea is the passing of loose or watery stools at least 3 times in a 24-hour period. It is often caused by infections but may also occur as a medication side effect.

Constipation involves straining with bowel movements, often with hard stools and a sense of incomplete evacuation. 

Bruxism is involuntary grinding of the teeth, often during sleep but sometimes during the day. In some cases, it can lead to tooth damage, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, myofascial pain, and sleep disturbance.

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is a cluster of physical and psychological symptoms that can occur when stopping or reducing antidepressants, especially abruptly.

Akathisia is a sense of restlessness that may cause a patient to appear fidgety, have difficulty sitting still, and rock from one leg to the other while standing.

This cheat sheet quickly reminds you of common strategies for managing side effects from psychiatric medications. For more detailed information, refer to our comprehensive fact sheets on each side effect.

Anxiolytic and hypnotic medications are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. While antidepressants are often first-line for anxiety disorders, benzodiazepines and other medications are commonly used for short-term symptom relief.

Sexual side effects are common with psychiatric medications.

These formulations used to be known as “depot” antipsychotics, but the newer term “long-acting injectables” helps to remove some of the stigma associated with their use.