MyChart
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| citalopram | Celexa |
| escitalopram | Lexapro |
| fluoxetine | Prozac |
| fluvoxamine | Luvox |
| paroxetine | Paxil |
| sertraline | Zoloft |
How It Works
SSRIs improve your mood by increasing your brain's use of a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) called serotonin. You may start to feel better within 1 to 3 weeks of taking antidepressant medicine. But it can take as many as 6 to 8 weeks to see more improvement. If you have questions or concerns about your medicines, or if you do not notice any improvement by 3 weeks, talk to your doctor.
Why It Is Used
SSRIs are usually the first-choice medicine for treating postpartum depression (PPD).
SSRIs are also used to relieve severe anxiety and depression during pregnancy and to prevent PPD in high-risk women.
SSRI treatment is not recommended if you have a seizure disorder or a history of mania (including bipolar disorder). These conditions can be made worse by an SSRI.
How Well It Works
Counseling and support are considered a first-line treatment for mild to severe PPD. Women with mild PPD are likely to benefit from counseling alone. And those who have moderate to severe PPD are advised to combine counseling with antidepressant medicine.
SSRIs have become the first line of treatment for depression, because they have proved effective for most people and have few side effects.
Side Effects
SSRIs make bleeding more likely in the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach and esophagus). Taking SSRIs with NSAIDs (such as Advil or Aleve) makes bleeding even more likely. Taking medicines that control acid in the stomach may help.1
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor if you have:
- Hives.
- Thoughts of suicide.
- Agitation and restlessness.
- Seizures.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Common side effects of this medicine include:
- Loss of sexual desire or ability.
- Irritability.
- Trouble sleeping or drowsiness.
- Headache.
- Changes in appetite.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. Talk to your doctor about these possible side effects and the warning signs of suicide.
The FDA has also issued a warning about taking triptans, used for headaches, with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Taking these medicines together can cause a very rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Do not suddenly stop taking an SSRI. Abruptly stopping an SSRI medicine can cause headaches, nervousness, anxiety, or insomnia. An SSRI must be gradually tapered off with supervision from your doctor.
SSRIs and breast-feeding
If your doctor thinks that you need an antidepressant to treat postpartum depression, you do not have to stop breast-feeding. Some SSRIs are barely detectable in breast milk. If the antidepressant that works best for you is one that has higher levels in breast milk, talk to your baby's doctor about whether formula feeding would be a good choice.
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
Women who take an SSRI during pregnancy have a slightly higher chance of having a baby with birth defects. If you are pregnant, you and your doctor must weigh the risks of taking an SSRI against the risks of not treating depression.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Current as of: November 14, 2014
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine & Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
