The most common drugs prescribed for both anxiety and depression are a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Yes, antidepressants, especially SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like Zoloft (sertraline) or Prozac (fluoxetine) and SNRIs, commonly cause diarrhea as a side effect due to their effect on serotonin in the gut, with studies showing it affects up to 16% of patients, often subsiding but sometimes needing management with anti-diarrheal agents or by taking medication with food.
Depression and antidepressant use are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a life-threatening condition in which blood clots form in the veins of legs or lungs. The findings are published online in the Annals of Medicine.
Paresthesias are described by many patients during withdrawal of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (including clomipramine) and usually present as numbness, tingling, burning, and occasionally 'electricity-like' feelings, predominantly in the upper legs and orofacial regions [10].
Less common side effects can include blurred vision, chest pain, changes in mood or mental state, and suicidal thoughts. Get medical help right away if you have any of these.
The anxiety chest pain location often feels like it's coming from the center or left side of the chest. Some people experience tightness or pressure in the chest, which is described as heavy and can create a feeling of suffocation. This sensation is accompanied by a sense of anxiousness or worry about personal health.
Overall, citalopram appears to be the best-tolerated SSRI, followed by fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, and fluvoxamine.
Sertraline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
It can take four to eight weeks for the medication to work and for your symptoms to ease. You might notice changes in appetite, energy, focus or sleep before your mood improves. The delay happens because the medication needs time to change the connections in your brain.
In patients with panic disorder, a single dose of medication, low dose of antidepressant and even a cup of coffee may trigger panic attacks (4). In the literature, a case with panic disorder whom panic attacks were induced by increasing doses of sertraline (5).
Jim Carrey talks about being on Prozac for a long time and he had to get off at a certain point as he didn't want to be on it indefinitely. “There are peaks, there are valleys,” he said. “But they're all kind of carved and smoothed out, and it feels like a low level of despair you live in.
Antidepressant use was associated with an increased stroke risk (hazard ratio [HR], 4.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.30–8.14), particularly ischemic stroke (HR, 7.02; 95% CI 3.18–15.49), than hemorrhagic stroke (HR, 1.63; 95% CI 0.60–4.39).
The five key warning signs of a deep vein blood clot (DVT) often include swelling, pain/tenderness, warmth, redness/discoloration, and sometimes visible veins, usually in one leg or arm, while signs of a pulmonary embolism (PE) like sudden shortness of breath or chest pain are medical emergencies. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial, as DVT can travel to the lungs, causing a potentially fatal PE.
SSRI antidepressant side effects
Some patients taking SSRIs develop insomnia, skin rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. These problems are usually temporary or mild or both.
Antidepressants may alter the abundance and composition of intestinal microbiota, which is closely related to the treatment outcomes of depression.
Common side effects of antidepressants
difficulty sleeping. weight gain. headaches. dry mouth.
Antidepressant Addiction Symptoms
There are many medications that may cause hair loss. Common examples include chemotherapy, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. Birth control pills, azole antifungals, and some arthritis and antithyroid medications may also lead to hair loss. Oral retinoids, tamoxifen, and blood thinners can cause hair loss.
Fatigue, drowsiness
Fatigue and drowsiness are common, especially during early weeks of treatment with an antidepressant. Consider these strategies: Take a brief nap during the day. Get some physical activity, such as walking.
Summary of Black Box Warnings
In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24.
Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss.
Sertraline may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using sertraline and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Abnormal Bleeding. People taking sertraline or other antidepressants may have an increased risk of bleeding or bruising.
The FDA label for sertraline specifically acknowledges that the medication may cause difficulty concentrating, memory changes, and confusion as potential side effects. These symptoms can occur at therapeutic doses and may persist throughout treatment for some individuals.
They are not more effective than other antidepressants, but they are usually well-tolerated by most people. This means that most people find that side effects are not too troublesome. Examples include citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline.
Citalopram is usually favoured if your main struggle is agitation or anxiety. It has a gentler, more calming effect. Sertraline is often chosen if low energy or lack of motivation are part of the picture, because its mild dopamine activity can give you more drive.