The Danger Behind SSRIs: An Overview
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the market. They are mainly used for treating clinical depression, but may also be prescribed for patients with anxiety disorders, panic disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
How SSRIs Work
SSRIs ease depression by affecting the chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, used to communicate between brain cells. Most of the following antidepressants work by changing the levels of one or more of these naturally occurring brain chemicals.
The primary cause of depression is a shortage of serotonin. With more serotonin present, the brain can more efficiently transmit messages regarding sleep regulation, mood, and emotions. This in turn helps control symptoms of depression.
List of SSRI Antidepressant Drugs
The following SSRI antidepressant drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat depression and other conditions. However, currently, the FDA is reviewing these drugs because of the dangerous side effects they can cause.
Mothers and SSRIs
Many antidepressants, including SSRIs, may harm your unborn child if you take them during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding. In fact, FDA findings indicate increased birth defects in newborns including serious heart and lung defects associated with the use of the anti-depressant drug Paxil during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and taking an SSRI, consult your doctor before possible discontinuation since a fivefold risk of relapse in depression in pregnant women who stopped taking antidepressants was recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
More Dangerous Side Effects of SSRIs
All SSRIs work in a similar way and almost all SSRIs are known to cause one or more of the following symptoms and side effects.
Side effects of SSRIs can include:
-
Serotonin Syndrome
- This is characterized by fever, confusion, muscle rigidity, and cardiac, liver, or kidney problems.
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Tremors
- Thoughts of Suicide
- Headache
- Nervousness, agitation or restlessness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Rash
- Increased sweating
- Weight gain
- Drowsiness
- Insomnia
Contact an Experienced SSRI Attorney
Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys are leaders in the area of drug and product liability litigation. Our Defective Drug and Products Division have extensive knowledge and resources in order to represent our clients efficiently and aggressively. The Defective Drug and Products Division represent a multitude of people who are battling against manufacturers of medical devices and/ or defective pharmaceuticals.
If you or a loved one have taken an SSRI and have developed serious side effects or injuries from the use of these drugs, contact Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys immediately. We are available 24/7, nights and weekends.
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