It's important not to miss any of your doses, because this could make your treatment less effective. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time to take your next dose, in which case you should just skip the missed dose. Don't take a double dose to "make up" for the one you missed. If you take more tablets than prescribed, contact your GP as soon as possible for advice. If this isn't possible, contact your local out of hours service , or call NHS 24 service.
Taking a double dose is unlikely to be harmful, but you should only do so if advised by a medical professional. You shouldn't suddenly stop taking SSRIs, even if you feel better. Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as:. If your GP or mental health specialist decides to stop your course of SSRIs, they'll reduce the dose gradually over a few weeks. The side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs can be troublesome at first, but most improve with time.
In general, SSRIs are better tolerated than most other types of antidepressants. The majority of people will only experience a few mild side effects when taking them. It's important to persist with 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 problems related to side effects. You'll usually see your doctor every few weeks when you first start taking SSRIs to discuss how well the medication is working. However, you can contact your doctor at any point if you experience any particularly troublesome or persistent side effects.
Some of the main side effects of SSRIs are described below, but this isn't an exhaustive list and some of these won't necessarily apply to the specific SSRI you're taking. For information about the side effects of a particular SSRI, check the information leaflet that comes with your medication. These side effects should improve over time, although some — such as sexual problems — can persist.
Speak to your doctor or go to your nearest hospital immediately if you vomit blood, have blood in your stools, or have problems passing urine. Serotonin syndrome occurs when the levels of a chemical in your brain called serotonin become too high.
If you experience the symptoms listed above, you should stop taking the medication and seek immediate advice from your GP or specialist. If this isn't possible, call NHS 24 service. If you or someone you know experience symptoms of severe serotonin syndrome, seek emergency medical help immediately by dialling and asking for an ambulance. Elderly people who take SSRIs may experience a severe fall in sodium salt levels known as hyponatremia. This may lead to a build-up of fluid inside the body's cells, which can be potentially dangerous.
This side effect occurs because SSRIs can block the effects of a hormone that helps to regulate levels of sodium and fluid in the body. Elderly people are vulnerable because fluid levels become more difficult for the body to regulate.
The most serious cases of hyponatremia can cause you to stop breathing or go into a coma. If you suspect that you or someone in your care has mild hyponatremia, call your GP for advice and stop taking SSRIs for the time being. If you suspect severe hyponatremia, call to request an ambulance. Hyponatremia can be treated by feeding a sodium solution into the body through an intravenous drip.
Some people have suicidal thoughts and a desire to self-harm when they first take SSRIs. Young people under 25 seem particularly at risk. Contact your GP or go to hospital immediately if you have thoughts of killing or harming yourself at any time while you're taking SSRIs. It may be useful to tell a relative or close friend that you've started taking antidepressants and ask them to read the leaflet that comes with your medication.
Ask them to tell you if they think your symptoms are getting worse, or if they're worried about changes in your behaviour. Introduction 2. Cautions and interactions 3. About your dose 4. Side effects. Introduction Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs are a widely used type of antidepressant medication.
As well as depression, SSRIs can be used to treat a number of other mental health conditions, including: generalised anxiety disorder GAD obsessive compulsive disorder OCD panic disorder severe phobias , such as agoraphobia and social phobia bulimia post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD SSRIs can sometimes be used to treat other conditions, such as premature ejaculation, premenstrual syndrome PMS , fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome IBS.
Doses and duration of treatment SSRIs are usually taken in tablet form. Things to consider SSRIs aren't suitable for everyone. Common side effects of SSRIs can include: feeling agitated, shaky or anxious feeling or being sick dizziness blurred vision low sex drive difficulty achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation in men, difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection erectile dysfunction You'll usually need to see your doctor every few weeks when you first start taking SSRIs to discuss how well the medication is working.
Accessing medicines self-help guide Visit our self-help guide on accessing medicines if you have difficulty getting the medicines you need. Cautions and interactions Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs aren't suitable for everyone. Medical conditions SSRIs may not be suitable if you have any of the following conditions: bipolar disorder and you're in a manic phase a period of extremely excitable mood , although they can be useful for depressive phases a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes epilepsy — SSRIs should only be taken if your epilepsy is well controlled, and they should be stopped if your epilepsy gets worse narrow angle glaucoma serious kidney, liver or heart problems SSRIs may need to be used with caution or not at all if you have one of these conditions, because the medication could increase your chance of experiencing serious side effects.
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SSRIs affect your brain chemistry by slowing re-absorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical that we think helps to regulate mood and anxiety. Each medication is listed by the brand name followed by the generic name in parentheses:.
All three medications have been shown in clinical studies to offer improvement of symptoms. However, the medication that works for one person doesn't always work for another. So, your doctor will work with you to find the right prescription for you. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to take your medication. It is important that you follow these directions. Generally, you will take an SSRI once a day, usually in the morning. Your doctor will usually prescribe a low dose at first, which will be increased gradually.
The dose that you require does not necessarily relate to the severity of your symptoms. Sometimes it is simply a reflection of your unique metabolism.
It may take several weeks for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms. However, there are several possible side effects. If you have great difficulty with side effects, your doctor may decide to prescribe a different SSRI. In general, lower initial doses that are gradually increased reduce the chance that you will have bad side effects.
The results of such a combination can be fatal. As well as depression, SSRIs can be used to treat a number of other mental health conditions, including:. Occasionally, they may also be prescribed to treat pain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter a messenger chemical that carries signals between nerve cells in the brain. It's thought to have a good influence on mood, emotion and sleep.
After carrying a message, serotonin is usually reabsorbed by the nerve cells known as "reuptake". SSRIs work by blocking "inhibiting" reuptake, meaning more serotonin is available to pass further messages between nearby nerve cells. It would be too simplistic to say that depression and related mental health conditions are caused by low serotonin levels, but a rise in serotonin levels can improve symptoms and make people more responsive to other types of treatment, such as CBT.
SSRIs are usually taken in tablet form. When they're prescribed, you'll start on the lowest possible dose thought necessary to improve your symptoms. SSRIs usually need to be taken for 2 to 4 weeks before the benefit is felt.
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