Abstract
Antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly used drugs in the treatment of depression. Their use is limited by adverse effects – physical (e.g. akathisia, nausea, diarrhea, sexual dysfunction) and emotional (emotional flattenig, anhedonia).
While emotional side effects may be confounded by the residual effects of depression, patients often attribute them to their medication. Emotional side effects have a negative impact on quality of life in remission.
Clinicians should ask routinely about emotional side effects when they are assessing treatment with antidepressants. Dopaminergic a norepinehrine antidepressants such as agomelatine, bupropione or reboxetine are drug of choice for patiens suffering from anhedonia and emotional flattening.