Anti Depression Medicine: Do They Have Adverse Effects?

Today, there are many types of anti depression medicines to choose from. However the current standard anti depression medicine is SSRI, an acronym for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. The reason is that they have been proven effective and have fewer side effects as compared to other types of anti-depressants.

Furthermore, SSRIs are more readily available since many drug makers have researched, engineered and created this type of anti depression medicine. This means that a patient and his doctor have a wide array of products to choose from.

How Does SSRI Work?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) belong to a class of antidepressants. It primarily works by preserving adequate level of serotonin in the body. Based on studies, one of the main causes of depression is the lack of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that the brain uses to transmit signals between brain neurons. People with depression have low levels of serotonin in the body.

What SSRI prevents the pre-synaptic nerve from re-uptaking serotonin so as to maintain a high level of 5-HT in the synapse. This is why in its name it includes "reuptake inhibitors."

Is This Anti Depression Medicine Effective?

SSRI has been found to be effective in treating clinical depression, mood disorders, and anxiety. Which is why more psychiatrists prescribe SSRI to their patients. Although it has side effects just like some other medicines, they are fewer and are not as serious when compared to other anti depression medicines from different classes of antidepressants.

What SSRI Drugs Are Available?

The most popular name under the class of SSRI is Prozac, with generic name fluoxetine, and Zoloft (sertraline). Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors go with these generic names: excitalopram (known brand names are Esipram and Lexapro), paroxetine (brand name, Paxil) and citalopram (or Celexa).

Will it Work for You?

This anti depression medicine may work for you. This is the first line of medicine that your doctor will recommend because it is known to be effective and safe. However, there are a number of patients who don't respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. If this happens, your doctor may recommend other types of anti depression medicines.

Side Effects and Adverse Effects

If this is your first time to use an SSRI, your body will possibly react to it adversely since it is still adapting to the changes caused by the medicine. General or common side effects can be expected during the first four weeks of your SSRI therapy. You may experience drowsiness, headache, nausea, changes in appetite, and tremors. The serotonin's action in your gastrointestinal tract may cause you to have diarrhea and vomiting.

You may feel disturbed by other side effects, although they are still categorized under general or common side effects. You may experience vivid or strange dreams, teeth clenching, akathisia, orthostatic hypotension, and even thoughts of suicide. This is why during the first four weeks of your SSRI medication you should be under the strict guidance of your therapist.

After the adaptation phase, you will feel more "normal." After six weeks, you may experience a life free from anxiety and depressing thoughts. But this varies among individuals. There are patients who adapt slower than others while some adapt fast to the medicine and show signs of positive response in as fast as four weeks.

Another side effect that has been documented is change in sexual behavior. SSRIs may cause sexual dysfunction in patients after prolonged use of the medicine. It may be anorgasmia or diminished libido in female or eretile dysfunction in patients. These effects are seen in less than ten percent of SSRI users.

SSRI is an effective anti depression medicine. However, you should not self medicate and you should use them only when you have the need to take it. SSRI, to be effective, must be taken continuously until such time that your therapist has recommended that you can stop taking it.