Live Life Team
SSRIs are used for treating depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsory disorder, eating disorder, panic disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. There are many kinds of SSRIs. SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain. It is believed that serotonin activates the mood of happiness. SSRIs prevent absorption of serotonin back into the nerves. In this manner, SSRIs are able to prolong the happiness in mind. Yet, they have side effects too.
What are the side effects of SSRIs
Different SSRIs have different side effects. The side effects also depend on the nature of depression and the doses used for treating it. Generally the treatment starts with low doses of SSRI to avoid side effects. It may take weeks together for SSRI to give effect. In some cases, the symptoms may worsen before SSRI gives the desired effect. In some people it may cause a thought of self-harm too. SSRI may increase the anxiety and the patient may become restless. If any of these symptoms occur, you should immediately visit your doctor.
The most common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, low sex drive, abnormal erection and lack of orgasm. These effects occur in more than 1 in 10 people.
The common side effects also include disturbed vision, loose motion or constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, agitation, sleep problems, poor appetite and sweats.
There are some uncommon side effects, which include blood in vomits or stools, confusion, hallucinations, extra-pyramidal disorder, inability to pass urine and weight gain. Almost one in every hundred people may have these side effects too.
The side effects like restlessness, fits, high level of anxiety and highly elevated mood, which are rare, can occur to one in every thousand people.
There are very rare sides effects, which include allergic reactions, glaucoma and serotonin syndrome. The serotonin syndrome is represented by very severe reactions such as confusion, restlessness, shaking, sweating, shivering, hallucinations and fast heartbeats.
People having uncommon side effects should see their doctor immediately. They should not drive when they have these side effects.
What will happen if I stop taking SSRI
You should not stop taking SSRI suddenly. When you want to discontinue taking SSRI, consult your doctor. You can gradually reduce the dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The very common withdrawal effects include anxiety, dizziness, imbalance, headache, pricking and burning sensations and nightmares.
Some common effects include diarrhoea, confusion, irritable feeling, agitation, restlessness, palpitation, shakes and sweats (even in the night).
Do SSRIs interact with other medicines
Interaction is possible when combining two or more medicines. Therefore, SSRI can interact with the combined medicines. The list of interactions is very exhaustive. However, as a precaution you should consult your doctor to know if your medicines are safe when you take SSRI along with them.
Taking antiplatelets when SSRI treatment is on, the risk of bleeding can increase. The side effects of clozapine can increase when you take SSRI. SSRI should not be taken with duloxetine as it can increase the risk of serotonine syndrome. If you take lithium together with SSRI, monitor the level of lithium in your blood, as SSRI can increase it. You should not take SSRI with moclobemide as it can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Likewise, you should consult your doctor before starting SSRI, if you are already taking antidepressants, medicines for diabetes, medicines for epilepsy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or medicines for migraine.
However, the above list is not a complete one. You should consult your doctor before starting SSRI, in case you are treated with other medicines.
