Side Effects

Antidepressant Drug (SSRI) Side Effects

While many (possibly even most) people tolerate Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) well, some people experience mild to severe side effects from this type of antidepressant medication. Several factors seem to be related to increased risk of side effects while taking SSRI. These include:

1. Higher doses: Higher dose of SSRI medications are more likely to cause side effects.
2. Longer duration of use: As with most medicines, the longer a person takes SSRI medications, the higher will be the risk of some unwanted side effect.
3. Combining SSRI with other medications: A range of different medications are thought to possibly increase the risk of side effects to SSRI medications. If you are taking any medication in addition to an SSRI please check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure the combination is safe.
4. Poor Health: Poor health status is associated with a greater risk of side effects to SSRI medications.
5. Older Age: Elderly people are more likely to experience side effects from SSRI medications.

Specific nutritional strategies may improve the function of areas typically challenged by SSRI; such as the loss of sexual drive and desire that can occur in some users of these antidepressant medications

To learn what important nutritional steps you can take to help minimize your risk of side effects to SSRI medications used by themselves or with other medications click on the link below to begin your health assessment.

Side effects are often treated with additional medications, which in turn, can have additional side effects, creating a Prescription Cascade.

Some research has indicated that more than 85% of people will eventually have one or more side effects if they take SSRI medications for an extended period of time. The 3 most commonly reported problematic side effects with long-term use of SSRI medications are:

• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance
• Weight gain

Agitation
Appetite Increases
Bleeding
Blood Pressure (and/or Heart Rate) increases
Chills
Confusion
Ear Pain
Emotional Instability
Memory Problems
Nausea
Taste Perversion (changes or loss of taste)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Urination, Increased frequency of
Vomiting

NOTE 1: A number of other infrequent side effects have been reported in clinical studies and in post-marketing studies of SSRI medications. These are listed in a textbook that most doctors have in their office called the Physicians Desk Reference and can be found by looking under the name of the specific SSRI medication. Please ask the doctor who prescribed the SSRI medication or the pharmacist that filled the prescription to check in this reference book if you think some other symptom might be related to taking SSRI medications.

NOTE 2: Discontinuation of SSRI medications is associated with a risk of side effects as well. Do not discontinue SSRI medications without the supervision of your doctor.

DISCLAIMER
The information here is provided for people who are on SSRI or who are considering use of such drugs. This site cannot be used to determine whether you should be placed on SSRI (or other antidepressant treatments) or whether you should discontinue SSRI medications. This information cannot be used as a substitute for obtaining medical advice or for seeking treatment from a qualified physician. Readers should not rely on the information contained in it for advice in particular cases. If you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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