Information About SSRIs – PROZAC, ZOLOFT, AROPAX, LUVOX, CIPRAMIL, LEXAPRO, LOVAN

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Information About SSRIs – PROZAC, ZOLOFT, AROPAX, LUVOX, CIPRAMIL, LEXAPRO, LOVAN

AIM: This medication is intended to correct the chemical changes in your body, which are associated with depressive illness.  This normally takes 3 to 4 weeks but may take 6 weeks.  These medications are part of a new generation of antidepressants known as the  Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).  At present, it is not possible to predict which particular medication is best suited to any individual patient’s chemistry, so that the antidepressant first prescribed may need to be changed after some time if it is not effective.  Statistically, any antidepressant has a seventy percent chance of helping an individual patient.

DOSAGE: Most people only need one tablet a day, usually taken in the morning.  The normal maximum dose is 4 tablets.  

SIDE EFFECTS:   Side effects of these medications are usually much less than with older antidepressants.  You may experience some or none of the following :

    1. Agitation, restlessness or anxiety – this side effect usually subsides over a few weeks.  Temporarily reducing the dosage should resolve the problem.  Valium or a similar agent will help the problem in the short term.
    2. Difficulty sleeping – this symptom usually subsides when the depressive illness has been eradicated.  Take the medication in the morning, as the medication usually makes your mind more stimulated.  
    3. Sexual difficulties – these are usually related to the dose of the medication you are taking.  In some men, Viagra works.  Otherwise, an alternative antidepressant may be tried.
    4. Headache, nausea – usually mild.  Stop the medication if severe.
    5. Weight gain.
    6. Less common – decreased appetite, dry mouth, blurring of vision, excessive sweating, shakiness, diarrhea, vaginal bleeding.

 

NEED TO VARY DOSAGE: This medication will eventually overwhelm your symptoms, if it works for you.  With no symptoms left to absorb the powerful medication, you may experience yawning, drowsiness, difficulty finding the right word, or simple errors in spelling or calculation.  Reduce the medication for 2 or 3 days, until these problems resolve and restart at a lower dose.  At times of extra stress, you may need to increase the dose (so that your concentration and memory are back to normal, being good indicators or good symptom control).  Liquid Prozac is available if needed (5ml = 1 tablet).  Do not drive or use dangerous equipment if you are drowsy or unable to concentrate.

LENGTH OF TREATMENT: Once you recover, you will need to keep taking the tablets for some months afterwards, to prevent the chemical imbalance from returning.  These tablets are not at all addictive.  However, do reduce the tablets slowly, to prevent withdrawal sensations in your body (which feel like you are suffering from ‘flu, or “zaps” in your head or dizziness). Some people become resistant to this medication and will need to change as the benefits fail.

PRECAUTIONS: Do not take these tablets:

    1. If you develop a rash or hives while taking this medication.
    2. If you have taken Parnate or Nardil within the previous 2 weeks.
    3. If you intend becoming pregnant in the next 2 months.
    4. Do not stop the tablets suddenly, as you may get flu’ like withdrawal symptoms.  (This is not a problem with Prozac).

 

USE OF ALCOHOL : You can have a small amount of alcohol quite safely with these tablets but do remember that one drink may have the effect of 2 or 3 drinks.

COUGHS & COLDS:  The warning not to take Sudafed, Sinutabs etc if taking antidepressants does not apply to this medication.

NOTE FOR PATIENTS ON LUVOX :

    1. Unlike other SSRIs, this medication may make you drowsy, from the beginning, so take most of the dose at night.  In other cases, the medication is energising, so take it early in the day.  You will have to experiment.
    2. It  is MOST IMPORTANT that you DO NOT TAKE HISMANAL, or PREPULSID.
    3. If you get stomach pains or bad nausea, stop the Luvox.

 

This information is intended to improve your knowledge of the treatment you are receiving.  Any further points can be discussed at your next consultation with me.

MAY BE REPRODUCED FOR GENERAL PATIENT USE BUT PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE SOURCE

DR DAVID HORGAN ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY ONLY FOR HIS OWN PATIENTS IN THE 

USE OF THIS MATERIAL