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Many of these effects last only for a short while. If these continue to be a problem, you may need to ask your doctor about adjusting the dosage of the medication, changing the time of day you take it, or if the side effects are severe, switching to another medication.

Keep a record of the medication you take: The name of the medication, the dosage, the date you started taking it and the date you stopped. Record any side effects you experience and how effective the medication was. This way you have a record that can assist your doctor in prescribing the right meds for you.

Some side effects can be reduced or eliminated with diet and lifestyle changes. Here are some remedies for the most common.

Agitation, restlessness, anxiety

• Get vigorous exercise, such as jogging, biking or aerobics.
• Practice deep-breathing exercises and muscle relaxation.
• Consult your doctor about temporarily taking a relaxing medication.

Constipation

• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
• Eat high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, brans and whole grains.
• Get regular exercise.
• Take fiber supplements
• Be sure to take them with plenty of water

Diarrhea

Eat foods that are known to be gentle on the bowels:

• The BRAT Diet - bananas, rice, apples and toast
• Smooth peanut butter
• Skinless chicken or turkey
• Cereals that are rice- or oat-based
• Fish
• Washed, peeled fruit such as apples, peaches, nectarines
• Cooked, not raw, vegetables
• Coconut - The folks at the People's Pharmacy say that a couple of teaspoons of coconut or two macaroons a day will stop diarrhea.

Drink plenty of clear liquids, including water, clear sodas and broths, gelatin, and juices. .

Avoid these foods and liquids:

• High fat, greasy and spicy foods - such as hot dogs, pizza, sausage, bacon
• Beverages containing caffeine - coffee, tea, soft drinks -and alcohol.
• Raw vegetables
• Bran of any kind: wheat bran, whole wheat breads, bran cereals
• Dairy products
• Dried fruits
• Nuts and popcorn

Fiber supplements*, which are generally recommended for constipation, can also be effective for diarrhea by forming solid stools.

If diarrhea persists, talk to your doctor. You may need to switch medication and modify your treatment plan.

Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Faintness, Loss of balance (disequilibrium)

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take medication at bedtime.
• Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy.
• Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you experience frequent dizziness.
• Rise slowly from sitting or standing positions.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Excessive use of these substances can restrict your blood vessels and worsen your symptoms.
• Some people have found relief by squeezing the skin between the eyebrows, which is an acupressure point.
• Placing the head between the knees to help return blood to the head also helps some people.

Dry mouth
Improve your saliva flow by sucking on sugar-free hard candy or chewing sugar-free gum. Avoid lemon-flavored hard candy - it makes saliva acidic, increasing the possibility of tooth decay. You can also:

• Sip water regularly.
• Suck on ice chips.
• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes.
• Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
• Add moisture to the air at night with a room humidifier.
• Take vitamin C supplements.

Side effects part 2: Fatigue or drowsiness, memory/cognitive problems, mood alterations, nausea , sexual dysfunction, sleeplessness, weight gain

*Fiber supplements can decrease the absorption of certain medications (Tegretol, lithium, so take fiber supplements two to three hours before or after other medications.

**Registration is not required to participate unless you want your scores recorded

Sources:
Side Effects: The Antidepressant Survival Program. Robert J. Hedaya MD (Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University) Crown Publishers 2000
MayoClinic.com
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

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