What You Should Do Once You Start Feeling the Side-Effects of the Latest SSRI Anti-Depressant Drug
June 3, 2008 8:47 pm
Depression Help
Without going into the mechanism of how SSRI drugs act on the brain, suffice it to say for the purpose of this report that SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. These drugs influence the balance of serotonin, the mood-influencing chemical in the brain cells, and thereby help the patients recover from depression or general anxiety disorders. SSRI drugs however are given to causing side-effects on patients, which range from mild to severe depending on the patients physiological make-up. The latest member of the SSRI family is chemically called escitalopram, which is available under the brand name Lexapro in the United States.
Lexapro has been demonstrated to be superior to other SSRIs in the sense that it works with lower dosage, has a faster onset of therapeutic action, and usually has milder side-effects. Yet, Lexapro is not free from side-effects. In this report, we shall look at both the common and uncommon side-effects that have been reported, and what the patient should do in response. What applies to Lexapro in terms of side-effects apply to other SSRIs too, but in lower intensity in most cases (there have been exceptional cases where side-effects of Lexapro too have been severe, but, as said, they are exceptional).
Manifestation of side-effects: Lexapro side-effects can be broadly classified as common and uncommon.
- Common side-effects: These include:
- Insomnia
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Dryness of mouth
- Nausea short of vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea)
- Sweating
- Loss of taste
- Sexual dysfunctions (reduced libido, performance, anorgasmia)
- Fever
- Shakiness
- Appetite changes (either increased or decreased)
- Renal problems, especially frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Uncommon side-effects: These include:
- Vomiting
- Skin disorders
- Dizziness / tremors
- Mental excitation
- Restlessness
- Acute depression / suicidal thoughts
Your healthcare provider will most probably ask you to continue with the treatment in the case of one or more of the common side-effects but may prescribe additional medication to cope with the side-effects. In the case of the uncommon-side-effects, the healthcare provider will take a deeper look and decide whether to reduce dosage, discontinue treatment with Lexapro and substitute with another drug, or prescribe additional medication while continue with the Lexapro treatment.
In any case, lets repeat the thumb rule: dont stop treatment of your own accord and dont fail to inform your healthcare provider of the occurrence of the side-effects, both of the common and uncommon types.
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