Friday, July 8, 2022

Side Effects of Anti-Dipressants Medications-Facts and Fears

Last week, I posted that Medical disorders (MDO) is currently a crises among our teens and young adults. I also discussed that some types of MDO have genetic basis. Today, I will discuss the side effects of the top ten popular antidepressants. If you are and know of some one taking anti-depressants, this is a must read. Here are two articles ( sources below), I found very informative.

1. "The side effects of antidepressants can cause problems at first, but they generally improve with time.

It's important to continue treatment, even if you're affected by side effects, as it will take several weeks before you begin to benefit from treatment. With time, you should find that the benefits of treatment outweigh any problems from side effects.

During the first few months of treatment, you'll usually see your doctor or a specialist nurse at least once every 2 to 4 weeks to see how well the medicine is working.

For more information about your specific medicine, see the patient information leaflet that comes with it.

The top 10 antidepressant drugs most commonly prescribed in the U.S. include:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed type of antidepressant. They work by blocking some reuptake of serotonin, helping to elevate mood. Examples of SSRIs include:

Fluoxetine (Prozac Weekly, Prozac, Sarafem)
Citalopram (Celexa)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva, Paxil CR)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are similar to SSRIs and work by blocking reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine to help elevate mood. Examples of SNRIs include:

Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Irenka)
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

Common side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can include:

feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
feeling and being sick
indigestion and stomach aches
diarrhoea or constipation
loss of appetite
dizziness
not sleeping well (insomnia), or feeling very sleepy
headaches
loss of libido (reduced sex drive)
difficulties achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation
difficulties obtaining or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)

These side effects should improve within a few weeks, although some can occasionally persist.

Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is an uncommon, but potentially serious, set of side effects linked to SSRIs and SNRIs.

Serotonin syndrome occurs when the levels of a chemical called serotonin in your brain become too high. It's usually triggered when you take an SSRI or SNRI in combination with another medicine (or substance) that also raises serotonin levels, such as another antidepressant or St John's wort.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include:

confusion
agitation
muscle twitching
sweating
shivering
diarrhoea

If you experience these symptoms, you should stop taking the medicine and get immediate advice from your GP or specialist. If this is not possible, call NHS 111.

Symptoms of severe serotonin syndrome include:

seizures (fits)
irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
unconsciousness

If you experience symptoms of severe serotonin syndrome, get emergency medical help immediately by dialing 999 to ask for an ambulance.

Suicidal thoughts

In rare cases, some people experience suicidal thoughts and a desire to self-harm when they first take antidepressants. Young people under 25 seem particularly at risk.

Contact your GP, or go to A&E immediately, if you have thoughts of killing or harming yourself at any time while taking antidepressants.

It may be useful to tell a relative or close friend if you've started taking antidepressants and ask them to read the leaflet that comes with your medicines. You should then ask them to tell you if they think your symptoms are getting worse, or if they're worried about changes in your behaviour ".

2. Fears and Facts About Antidepressants

By Mary Anne Dunkin

Medically Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on June 14, 2021

Along with psychotherapy, antidepressants are a common treatment for depression. Four out of 10 people treated with antidepressants improve with the first one they try. If the first antidepressant medication doesn’t help, the second or third often will. Most people eventually find one that works for them. Yet many people who could benefit from an antidepressant never try one, often because of fears about them, experts say.

Here are eight common fears about antidepressants, as well as facts that can help you and your doctor decide if an antidepressant is right for you.

Fear:Antidepressants make you forget your problems rather than deal with them.

Fact: Antidepressants can’t make you forget your problems, but they may make it easier for you to deal with them. Being depressed can distort your perception of your problems and sap you of the energy to address difficult issues. Many therapists report that when their patients take antidepressants, it helps them make more progress in psychotherapy.

Fear: Antidepressants change your personality or turn you into a zombie.

Fact: When taken correctly, antidepressants will not change your personality. They will help you feel like yourself again and return to your previous level of functioning. (If a person who isn’t depressed takes antidepressants, they do not improve that person’s mood or functioning - it's not a "happy pill.") Rarely, people experience apathy or loss of emotions while on certain antidepressants. When this happens, lowering the dose or switching to a different antidepressant may help.

Fear: Taking an antidepressant will make me gain weight.

Fact: Like all drugs, antidepressants have side effects, and weight gain can be a common one of many of them. Some antidepressants may be more likely than others to cause weight gain; others may actually cause you to lose some weight. If this is a concern, talk with your doctor.

Fear: If I start taking antidepressants, I’ll have to take them for the rest of my life.

Fact: Most people who take antidepressants for a first-time episode of depression need to take them continuously for six to nine months, not necessarily a lifetime. Once an antidepressant gets depression under control, you should work with your doctor to decide when to stop your medication and then decrease your dose gradually. Discontinuing them suddenly may cause problems such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Fear: Antidepressants will destroy my sex life.

Fact: Some antidepressants can have an effect on sex. The problem is usually in having an orgasm rather than a lack of desire. But because depression itself decreases libido, a medication that eases depression may improve your sex life. As with other side effects, certain antidepressants may be more likely than others to cause sexual problems.

Fear: Antidepressants are expensive and aren’t covered by insurance.

Fact: Antidepressants are usually covered by insurance plans with prescription drug coverage. The cost of antidepressants varies widely, depending on the dosage, the drug you are taking, and whether it is available as a generic. Even without insurance coverage, it is possible to purchase a generic antidepressant for as little as $4 per month.

Fear: Taking an antidepressant is a sign of weakness.

Fact: Like medical conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol, major depression is a condition that often responds to medication. When depression interferes with your ability to function normally, seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of good self-care.

Fear: Antidepressants increase the risk of suicide.

Fact: Studies in recent years have raised concerns that antidepressants may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors (but not deaths) among children, adolescents, and young adults. For example, a 2009 review in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) looked at 372 studies involving nearly 100,000 people who were taking antidepressants. It found that compared to placebo, antidepressants were associated with a slightly higher risk for suicidal thoughts in some children and young adults, have no effect on suicide risk among those 25 to 64, and reduce the risk in those 65 and older.

In 2004, the FDA required manufacturers of antidepressants to revise their labels to include a boxed warning statement about these risks.

Other studies paint a different picture. A 2006 study published in PLoS Medicine suggests that antidepressants have saved thousands of lives. Data show that the U.S. suicide rate held fairly steady for 15 years before the popular antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) was sold and then dropped steadily over 14 years while sales of Prozac rose. The strongest effect was among women.

The bottom line: Regardless of your age or sex, it’s important to see a doctor immediately if you have suicidal thoughts or other significant symptoms of clinical depression.

https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/coping-with-side-effects-of-depression-treatment

https://www.healthline.com/health/antidepressant-side-effects#tc-as

Meanwhile here are two photos of Yuka and Alex Chilan Family Visit