Modern antidepressants in particular have a side effect in very many people of causing intense perspiration. For many people the situation is so bad that they have to change their night wear, or else they alternate from being intensely hot and perspiring to being very cold as the perspiration dries off during the night.  The problem is particularly bad in warm weather, and many people find the symptom socially very embarrassing.

 

Our sweat glands in our skin are ordered to produce sweating by nerve impulses, and these nerve impulses are accidentally activated as a side effect of the antidepressants.  While stopping perspiration completely runs the risk of causing our body to overheat, the following two antidotes, which need to be prescribed by your doctor, can safely reduce the perspiration, without endangering your temperature control from your body.

 

PROPANTHELINE (sold under the trade name PROBANTHINE in some countries) is a very effective agent in many people at stopping perspiration, regardless of its source.  The medication itself is quite a simple medication, and the only common side effect associated with this medication is dryness of the mouth.  The medication normally lasts a number of hours after taking the tablet, so that some people find they only need to take the medication at night, or only on hot nights.

 

CLONIDINE (CATAPRES) is another agent that is very effective in low doses in many people in stopping perspiration.  The medication is widely available under various brand names, as it has been used for many years to control high blood pressure, or to prevent migraine.  Because of its role in reducing blood pressure, this medication should be taken in low doses only, when being used to control perspiration.  Either you or your doctor should keep a check that your blood pressure does not become too low, as indicated by symptoms such as dizziness or feeling unusually weak and tired.

 

 

Important Disclaimer:  This site is medical information only, and is not to be taken as diagnosis, advice or treatment, which can only be decided by your own doctor.