You can beat depression with the aid of this often prescribed antidepressant kind. Learn how SSRI elevate mood and what negative effects they could have.
The most often prescribed antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They have the ability to lessen the symptoms of moderate to severe depression, are generally safe, and have fewer adverse effects.
How SSRIs operate
By raising serotonin levels in the brain, SSRIs alleviate depression. One of the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that send and receive impulses between brain neurons is serotonin.
Serotonin reabsorption (reuptake) into neurons is inhibited by SSRIs. As a result, there is more serotonin accessible, which enhances neural communication. Because they primarily impact serotonin and not other neurotransmitters, SSRIs are referred to be selective.
In addition to treating depression, SSRIs may also be used to treat anxiety disorders.
Depression-treating SSRIs are permitted.
These SSRIs have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression:
- (Celexa) Citalopram
- Lexapro is escitalopram.
- Prozac Fluoxetine
- (Paxil, Pexeva) Paroxetine
- fluoxetine (Sertraline)
- Potential negative consequences and warnings
Though some individuals may not have any, it is believed that all SSRIs typically have comparable side effects and function in a similar manner. After the first few weeks of therapy, many side symptoms could disappear, but others might prompt you and your doctor to try a new medication.
You may be able to tolerate another SSRI if you can’t handle one since they vary in how well they block serotonin reuptake and how fast the body gets rid of (metabolizes) the medication.
SSRI side effects might include, among other things:
- diarrhea, vomiting, or nauseous
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- mouth ache
- Insomnia
- Unease, anxiety, or nervousness
- Dizziness
- Sexual dysfunction, or erectile dysfunction, is the inability to sustain an erection or to have orgasmic intensity.
impacting appetite, causing weight gain or decrease
Medication taken with meals may lessen the possibility of experiencing nausea. Taking your prescription before bed may also lessen the effects of nausea, provided it doesn’t prevent you from falling asleep.
The ideal antidepressant for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your symptoms and any underlying medical disorders you may have. Read the patient medication information that comes with the prescription and speak to your doctor and pharmacist about the most typical side effects that might occur from your particular SSRI.
Safety concerns
Most individuals can safely use SSRIs. However, they sometimes may become an issue. For instance, the FDA and the manufacturer advise against taking dosages of citalopram exceeding 40 milligrams (mg) per day since they may result in hazardous irregular heart rhythms. For patients over the age of 60, they also advise a citalopram dosage of no more than 20 mg per day.
Before using an SSRI, you should go through the following topics with your doctor:
medication interactions. Inform your doctor if you’re using any other prescription or OTC drugs, herbal supplements, or other dietary supplements while taking an antidepressant. Certain antidepressants may reduce the efficacy of other medicines, while others may have harmful interactions with other drugs or herbal remedies.
For instance, SSRIs may raise your risk of bleeding, particularly if you’re also taking other medicines that do the same thing, such NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), and other blood thinners.
syndromic serotonin. Rarely, taking an antidepressant might result in your body having excessive amounts of serotonin build up. Combining two serotonin-boosting medicines is the most common cause of serotonin syndrome. For instance, different antidepressants, certain painkillers or headache remedies, and the herbal supplement St. John’s wort are some of them.
Anxiety, agitation, high temperature, sweating, disorientation, tremors, restlessness, loss of coordination, significant fluctuations in blood pressure, and an accelerated heart rate are some of the signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome. If you have any of these symptoms, get medical help right once.
Pregnancy and antidepressants. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking certain antidepressants with your doctor. If you take some antidepressants while you are pregnant or nursing, it might be harmful to the unborn child. Consult your doctor about the potential hazards if you use an antidepressant and are thinking about becoming pregnant. Without first seeing your doctor, don’t stop taking your prescription since doing so might be dangerous for you.
Antidepressants and the risk of suicide
Although the FDA mandates that all antidepressants include black box warnings, the toughest cautions for prescriptions, the majority of antidepressants are largely safe. In certain situations, taking antidepressants may lead to an increase in suicide thoughts or actions among children, teens, and young people under the age of 25, particularly in the first few weeks or when the dosage is altered.
Antidepressant users should be constantly monitored for increasing depression or odd behavior. When taking an antidepressant, if you or someone you know has suicide thoughts, call your doctor or seek emergency assistance right away.
Remember that antidepressants are more likely to decrease the risk of suicide over time through elevating mood.
SSRI therapy discontinuation
SSRIs don’t cause addiction. However, suddenly quitting antidepressant therapy or skipping several doses might result in withdrawal-like symptoms. This condition is referred to as discontinuation syndrome. To safely and gradually reduce your dosage, see your doctor.
Symptoms that resemble withdrawal include:
- Unease permeating the whole being
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Lethargy
- flu-like signs
- choosing the appropriate antidepressant
The same antidepressant may have varied effects on other people. For instance, a certain medication can be more effective — or less effective — for you than for someone else. Or you can have different side effects from someone else when using a certain antidepressant.
Antidepressants might impact you differently depending on your inherited features. Inform your doctor if a close relative of yours has found relief from a certain antidepressant as this may be a good place to start.
Results of specialized blood tests, when available, may in certain circumstances provide information about how your body may react to a specific antidepressant. Your reaction to medicine, however, might also be influenced by other factors.
Your doctor considers your symptoms, any health issues, any drugs you take, and what has previously helped for you before selecting an antidepressant.
Antidepressants often take a few weeks or more to become completely effective and to reduce their early negative effects. If you and your doctor are patient, you and your doctor may discover a medicine that is effective for you. Your doctor may suggest some dosage modifications or new antidepressants.