How do the SSRI's work?

Since serotonin is a major chemical in our brains that activates nerve cells, they also have a lot to do with the kinds of moods that we have. Researchers and doctors alike believe that the lack of serotonin in our brains will cause depression in us. This is why SSRIs are important in treating this depression. The SSRI medication that is prescribed by doctors will relieve that depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain to activate nerve cells and improve your mood by making you happier. By taking in SSRIs, this will prevent the reuptake (or absorption) of serotonin back into certain nerve cells. This will cause the effects of the serotonin to last longer.

A plus with this medication is that it does not cause too many side effects as compared to other medications. This is a good medication for those who are suicidal or want to cause themselves self-harm. It is important to get the advice of your doctor before taking SSRIs. SSRIs can only be prescribed by your doctor. Many instances of patients taking SSRI for depression have reported positive results in effects within two to four weeks of medication.

How are SSRIs available?

SSRIs are currently available in capsule and tablet form some known forms of SSRIs are Celexa (generic name: citalopram), Lexapro (generic name: escitalopram oxalate), Prozac (generic name: fluoxetine), Luvox, (generic name fluvoxamine), Paxil (generic name: paroxetine), and Zoloft (generic name: sertraline), among others. These brands and generic brands are probably available in over 100 countries worldwide. As compared to the older generation of antidepressants (first-generation), the newer antidepressants such as SSRIs (or second-generation antidepressants) generally have lesser side effects.

How quickly do SSRI antidepressants work?

Depending on the person, SSRIs will work differently. Some may feel its effects on their depression in a matter of days, while for others it may take weeks at a time before they feel any effect at all. However, one who takes the SSRI medication should not expect to feel the effects immediately after taking the SSRI capsules or pills. It is important that a patient continue taking them even if they do not feel the effects immediately. If a patient feels that they are getting even more depressed during the time they take the SSRI treatments, it is best that they return to their doctor for more advice.

How effective are SSRI antidepressants?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are very effective in treating physical and emotional PMS and PMDD symptoms that women often experience. This kind of medication is fast-acting and effects are felt within days of taking medication to treat depression. Continuous SSRI medication is required for those who suffer long bouts of depression. Their doctors are the ones who should advise and manage their doses for the most effective relief of their depressive conditions.

How is SSRI different from other antidepressants?

In terms of effectiveness, most antidepressants are quite effective whether they are first- or second-generation antidepressants. Usually a patient will continue taking a certain antidepressant if it works effectively and noticeably with their bodies. Some patients will find that an antidepressant is not as effective as another and may ask the doctor if it is okay for them to switch. Overall, it is important for patients to inform their doctors of their progress so that he knows what to best prescribe them.

There are generally two types of antidepressants that you can take and these are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). If you find that one kind does not work for you, then it is best to try an antidepressant from the other group, rather than of the same group.

There are several reasons why SSRIs are different from other antidepressants, and mainly it is the way that they work in your body. With serotonin, a neurotransmitter, there is a direct effect since the lack of it is directly involved in the cause of depression. Nerve cells use neurotransmitters to pass messages on to other adjacent nerve cells. If there is a lack of serotonin, then one nerve cell cannot pass the message on effectively, which is a big cause of depression in a person. In a normal cycle, the nerve cells will recycle the serotonin by taking it in again, or reabsorbing it. The SSRIs that you take will prevent this from happening so that the serotonin is available to help messages pass from one nerve cell to another. A great thing about SSRIs is that is selective in serotonin absorption and will not prevent other cells from absorbing the required serotonin they have to recycle. Basically it tries to maintain the normal healthy cycle within our bodies. Another good thing about SSRIs is that they don’t seem to have the same extreme adverse side effects as other antidepressants have on the human body.

Are there any SSRI side-effects?

SSRI may have some side effects but they are not as bad as other antidepressants. However, side effects in most medications cannot be avoided. The good news is that the longer that the medication is taken, the more the side effects will improve over continued use. Here are some side effects that you may experience upon taking SSRI: headache, insomnia, fatigue, nausea, weight loss, change in appetite, difficulty with sexual arousal, sexual dysfunction, flu-like symptoms, nervousness, increased sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, tremors, and some rare side effects are weight gain and rashes. Stopping medication immediately may not be advisable since a withdrawal reaction may occur in your body. It is better to continue medication, visit your doctor for advice and he can gradually wean you off the medication if needed.

It is highly recommended not to take antidepressants within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, especially since it will heighten the chances of your baby being born with a birth defect. Some SSRIs may also cause a rare condition (in very rare cases) of serotonin syndrome.

Are SSRI antidepressants addictive?

No, SSRI antidepressants are not addictive. Although they may cause some sort of withdrawal symptom when you stop taking them abruptly, this is a temporary effect. That is why it is best to get advice from your doctor on how to wean you off the medication slowly and with the least side effects and withdrawal symptoms as possible.

Withdrawal symptoms may range from numbness, tingling sensations, dizziness, nausea, headache, sleep disturbances, anxiety, digestive disturbances, sweating, and even vivid dreams. SSRIs like paroxetine will probably cause more withdrawal symptoms than other SSRIs. Fluoxetine is known to cause the least symptoms in withdrawal. By a gradual decrease in medication over the weeks, you can avoid these withdrawal symptoms.

Although SSRIs do not cause addiction, your brain will get used to having the medication and may adapt to it. This is why it is most important to always consult your doctor on the best ways to stop using the medication without the adverse effects and to help your brain readjust to a natural state.

How will my doctor choose an antidepressant?

Your doctor will choose the SSRI antidepressant for you to take depending on your situation and on the condition that you are treating. If you have a history of bipolar disorder, mania, or seizure disorder, then an SSRI treatment is not recommended. SSRI may also be a prime choice in treating severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Symptoms that will be treated and are caused by these two disorders are bloating, breast tenderness, depression, anxiety, mood swings, anger, joint or muscle pain, headaches, and irritability. The usual prescribed time to take SSRIs for these symptoms is to take it 2 weeks before menstrual bleeding starts.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

If you miss a dose, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. It is very important to follow the instructions that your doctor give you regarding your medication. For missed doses, if you are less than 2 hours late for your medication, take your dose and then continue following your dose schedule. If you are more than 2 hours late in taking your SSRI dose, then still continue as normal, but be aware that having two doses spaced too closely with each other may cause you some side effects. Usually, your medication will have some patient information on it, so read it and find out what it recommends. You can also call up your doctor and find out what he advises.  

Can I stop taking the SSRI suddenly?

You can but it is definitely not a recommended move. By stopping SSRI treatment abruptly may cause your body to undergo withdrawal symptoms and may cause you to experience a relapse back into your depressed state. If one SSRI antidepressant does not work for you, your doctor may decide to switch you to another. Instead of making you stop immediately, your doctor will be a period of time set between stopping the old one and starting the new medication. Your doctor will gradually wean you off the first one first and then start you one the next medication after.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released an advisory about SSRI treatment stating that when antidepressants are taken for depression and suicidal tendencies, the treatment should never be abruptly stopped. Patients taking the treatment should always be observed for warning signs of suicide. The most important part of this process is when the treatment has just begun.

Can I take other medicines at the same time?

There are some medicines that interact with SSRI medication, so you will have to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication when he prescribes you SSRI. Other medications like drugs used to treat clotting disorders may affect antidepressant effectiveness. You may also have to avoid other medicines that affect serotonin levels such as sumatriptan, tamadol, and noratiptan. With these interactions you may cause your body to undergo a bad reaction. If in doubt, always ask your doctor. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

When taking antidepressants, it is always good to know that no antidepressant is better than another antidepressant, it all depends on how well it works with your own body. Generally, SSRIs are safer than tricyclic antidepressants because you cannot overdose on them. You may also have to try out different SSRIs at your doctor’s advice to find out which one works for you well. Some of the major side effects that have been complained about by patients are sexual problems, which are readily remedied through the use of Viagra. If you are an adult over 50 years of age, consult with your doctor about taking SSRI since you may be more likely to suffer a fracture if you are taking SSRI treatment. Also, avoid taking SSRI with medicines like Advil or Aleve since they contain NSAIDs. This may cause bleeding to happen if taken together. However, taking medicine for stomach acid may help the side effects of SSRI if you experience digestive problems.

With the existence of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRIs), we can now look forward to a treatment in depression without the extreme side effects that first-generation medicines used to have.  SSRIs have opened the doors for better treatments in depression and other symptoms which is good news for those who want a better medication for their particular conditions.