It seems as though there’s a medication for every type of ailment. You reach for ibuprofen when you have a headache or antihistamines for allergies.
The same goes for mental health conditions like generalized anxiety disorder (also known as GAD or just anxiety) and depression (or major depressive disorder). Drugs known as antidepressants are often the first choice prescribed by healthcare professionals. And one of the most common types of antidepressants is SSRIs.
But what are SSRIs? While the world of antidepressant medications is vast, complicated and sometimes stigmatized, we’re here to uncomplicate and destigmatize things.
Keep reading to learn how SSRI drugs work, the different types of SSRIs, the side effects of SSRI drugs and more.
How SSRIs Work
To understand how SSRIs work, let’s back up a minute. First, what is an SSRI drug, and what does SSRI stand for?
SSRI is short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a type of antidepressant medication.
Other antidepressants include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Lots of acronyms, we know. But don’t worry — we’re just focusing on SSRIs.
How selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work is sort of what their name implies. The exact mechanism is unclear, but they’re thought to increase serotonin levels by inhibiting or stopping your brain from retaking and reabsorbing serotonin, an important neurotransmitter.
Neurotransmitters like serotonin act as chemical messengers that carry signals between brain nerve cells (or neurons) and affect several bodily functions.
Serotonin, for example, affects not only mood but also sleep and digestion, among other things. Low serotonin levels are also associated with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Since SSRI drugs can affect your serotonin levels and, theoretically, improve your mood, they’re often prescribed for anxiety, depression and so many more mental health conditions, as well as other health conditions.
Currently, SSRI medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for:
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Major depressive disorder (MDD)
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Bulimia nervosa
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Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
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Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
SSRIs may be used off-label for other conditions like eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder and PE, to name a few. Also, different types of SSRIs have different FDA approvals for which conditions they treat.
Type of SSRIs
Not to confuse you more — that’s the opposite of what we’re here to do! — but there are different ways of naming SSRIs.
Sold under both brand names and generic labels, some of the most commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include:
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Citalopram (Celexa)
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Vilazodone (Viibryd)While the above SSRI meds all work to increase serotonin levels, there are some differences between them.
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Sertraline (Zoloft)
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Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
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Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
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Fluoxetine (Prozac)
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Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Some research indicates that escitalopram is more effective than paroxetine and sertraline. Meanwhile, fluoxetine has a high potential for drug interactions but fewer withdrawal symptoms than other SSRIs.
Paroxetine also has a higher risk of drug interactions and may impact sleep quality more than other SSRI drugs.
Some people may not respond well to SSRIs, either because of the side effects they experience or if their depression or anxiety doesn’t improve. In that case, a healthcare professional might recommend another one of the common antidepressants.
If you’re interested in learning more about antidepressant medications, explore the above guides or read through our full list of antidepressants, which covers more than just SSRIs.
SSRI Side Effects
Compared to other types of antidepressants, SSRIs generally have fewer side effects while maintaining their effectiveness. In fact, since SSRIs are typically better tolerated with a lower risk of side effects, some studies have shown that fewer patients discontinue SSRI therapy than with alternative antidepressants.
That said, SSRIs aren’t completely without side effects. We’ll go over the common side effects of SSRI drugs below, as well as rarer, more serious side effects you may encounter.
Intimate Side Effects
Intimate dysfunction is a common side effect among SSRIs. Women may experience intimate side effects such as difficulty experiencing climax and decreased drive. These side effects can affect both men and women. For men, adverse effects can be having difficulty experiencing climax, ED and decreased drive. Between 40 and 65 percent of people who take an SSRI experience some form of dysfunction, according to a review of studies published in the journal The Mental Health Clinician.
Many SSRIs can cause intimate side effects, so the chance of experiencing adverse effects of sertraline (Zoloft) may be similar to experiencing Prozac’s intimate side effects.
However, the above review found that, of the most common SSRIs, sertraline side effects were the least likely to include intimate dysfunction.
Gastrointestinal Issues
One of the common SSRI side effects is trouble with digestion or your stomach. Gastrointestinal issues are the most commonly experienced side effects of SSRIs.
These issues can include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Insomnia
Sleep disturbances can accompany SSRI use, resulting in drowsiness or insomnia, a condition marked by difficulty falling or staying asleep.
A 2017 review of research published in the journal Current Psychiatry Reports noted that it’s common for antidepressants to affect sleep, regardless of the type. So experiencing sleep issues while taking sertraline is just as possible as Lexapro and sleep disturbance.
Weight Changes
Another potential downside of SSRI antidepressant use? Weight changes, particularly weight gain. You may have heard a rumor that Prozac causes weight gain or wonder if there’s a connection between antidepressants and weight loss. Though some people experience weight loss when first starting an SSRI, many gain it back (and potentially more weight beyond that) after several months of treatment.
Compared to other antidepressants, SSRIs may result in less weight gain. For example, a 2011 study published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology found that those who took escitalopram (Lexapro) gained less than a third of a pound over three months compared to those who took nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant.
The nortriptyline group experienced moderate weight gain.
However, antidepressants don’t affect everyone equally, so there could still be a link between Lexapro and weight changes or other SSRIs.
Dry Mouth
While not a severe or life-threatening side effect, having a dry mouth (also called xerostomia) as a result of antidepressants can be frustrating to deal with.
Dry mouth should go away on its own over several weeks, but you can also reduce the severity by avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, spicy foods and other foods and drinks that can cause dehydration.
Nervousness, Restlessness and Agitation
If you already struggle with nervousness as a result of generalized anxiety disorder, it may be disheartening to learn that an SSRI could come with a side effect of more anxiety and worries. While another common side effect of SSRIs is nervousness and increased agitation, it’s generally mild and resolves within about three weeks. After the initial side effect wears off, SSRIs effectively reduce anxiety.
Dizziness, Tremors and Headaches
It’s also common to experience dizziness or headaches when starting a new SSRI antidepressant, although the exact reason is unclear. Like many of the other common side effects, shaking, dizziness or headaches go away within a few weeks. If you’re experiencing more headaches than usual while taking an SSRI, you may be tempted to reach for a painkiller to treat it. However, some painkillers can interact with SSRIs, which we’ll talk about more below.
Things to Know Before Taking SSRIs
We’ve covered almost everything you need to know about SSRIs. But there’s still some crucial information to go over.
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Drug interactions. As mentioned above, some SSRIs can have negative interactions with other drugs, as well as supplements and even herbs. This includes monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), St. John’s wort and other medications that increase serotonin. It’s always a good idea to inform your healthcare provider about any other medications or supplements you’re taking before starting an SSRI.
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Serotonin syndrome. While there’s a connection between low serotonin and depression, too much serotonin in your body can be a bad thing. Another risk of taking SSRIs is serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition of increased serotonin levels with mild to severe symptoms. A typical SSRI dosage alone won’t cause serotonin syndrome, but taking this type of antidepressant with other medications that increase serotonin levels can.
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SSRIs and pregnancy. While SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy, they’re not without risks. Some SSRIs may harm your baby if you take them during pregnancy — however, research is conflicting. If you’re currently pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant, discuss mental health treatment with your healthcare provider.
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FDA black box warning: thoughts of death. Like other antidepressant medications, SSRIs have a black box warning from the FDA. It notifies people of an increased risk of thoughts of death and/or behaviors in adolescents and young adults, primarily during the first few months of treatment. This label isn’t meant to scare you, but it’s the most serious type of FDA warning designed to provide important safety information about sertraline. The risk of this side effect is very low, and is outweighed by the risks caused by untreated depression. The black box warning shouldn’t prevent you from getting effective treatment. Instead, it should act as a signal to watch out for any emergent thoughts of death during the first few weeks of treatment.
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Stopping SSRI medication. Though there may be times you want to stop taking your medication, abruptly stopping SSRI treatment can result in antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, with symptoms like insomnia, mood disturbances and flu-like symptoms. If you want to stop taking an SSRI, your healthcare provider will discuss solutions, such as a taper schedule to avoid discontinuation syndrome.
Summary: SSRIs
One of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, SSRIs are often used as a first line of treatment for several mental health conditions.
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What are SSRIs and what does SSRI stand for? SSRIs are a group of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that work to prevent the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, a key neurotransmitter.
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Serotonin levels can affect your mood (among other functions) and are believed to be connected to mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety — SSRIs are FDA-approved to treat both depression and anxiety, along with panic disorder, OCD and certain eating disorders.
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Although they generally have fewer side effects than other antidepressants, there are still several common side effects of SSRIs. SSRI side effects include nausea, dry mouth, upset stomach, intimate dysfunction, insomnia and weight gain or loss.
While this type of medication is a common treatment option, SSRIs may not be for everyone simply because everyone’s mental health journey is different. See our guides on SSRI alternatives as well as how to know which antidepressant is best for you when considering options.
You can also learn how to get antidepressants if you’re interested in starting an SSRI. Or you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and find the best treatment plan with online psychiatry. SSRIs and antidepressants aren’t the only treatment options, of course. Talk therapy, whether in-person or through online therapy, is another helpful treatment for depression and anxiety.
This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Weight Loss Medications: Are They Actually Effective?
It’s common knowledge that managing your weight keeps you healthy now and as you get older. In fact, obesity contributes to several health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Not only was the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults nearly 42 percent in 2017, but the estimated medical costs for adults with obesity were almost $2,000 more each year than for adults who do not have obesity .
Those who have a body mass index (BMI, or the measurement of fat based on height and weight) between 25 and 30 are considered overweight, while those with a BMI over 30 are considered to have obesity.
You’ve probably heard of a few weight loss medications, or at least their brand names, like Ozempic® and Wegovy®. However, there are several other prescription drugs available that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Healthcare providers may prescribe these medications to someone who has obesity or is overweight with a weight-related health problem like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
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You’re probably familiar with one of semaglutide’s brand names, Ozempic — other brand names for this drug include Wegovy and Rybelsus®.
Ozempic is approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes and may be prescribed off-label for weight loss, in combination with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise or with other diabetes medications like insulin or metformin.
Wegovy, meanwhile, is a prescription medication approved for use for weight loss in people who have obesity or who are overweight.
Ozempic and Wegovy are in a class of medication called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 and target areas of the brain that regulate appetite.
Ozempic was approved by the FDA in 2017, while Wegovy was granted approval to pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk more recently, in 2021.
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Although only approved by the FDA to treat diabetes, metformin is often used off-label for weight loss, as well as gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
It isn’t exactly clear how metformin helps people lose weight, but researchers think the drug works as an appetite suppressant. Similarly to Ozempic, metformin may increase how much GLP-1 hormone your body makes. This can send a signal to your brain that you’re full, which means you eat fewer calories.
Read our blog to learn about Ozempic vs. Metformin for weight loss.
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If you’ve dealt with depression or looked into medication to quit smoking, bupropion may sound familiar to you.
For weight loss, it can be combined with the drug naltrexone, which is used to treat alcohol and drug dependence, to curb your hunger or make you feel fuller sooner. Together, these medications work on two areas of the brain, the hunger center and the reward system, to reduce appetite and help control cravings.
Along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise plan, naltrexone-bupropion can also help keep excess weight off.
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Phentermine-topiramate is actually two separate medications that are combined in Qsymia, but are offered separately in other applications.
While phentermine is considered an anorectic and topiramate is an anticonvulsant, both help with appetite suppression.
Topiramate offers the added benefit of helping you feel fuller longer after you eat.
When used specifically with a healthy exercise regimen and a reduced calorie diet, these medications — either together or separately — have been shown to help people lose weight and keep it off.
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Orlistat, which belongs to a class of medications known as lipase inhibitors, reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food you eat.
Orlistat is used for weight loss in conjunction with exercise and a reduced-calorie diet, as well as after weight loss to help people keep from gaining back that weight.
While the brand name Xenical requires a prescription, another brand called Alli is available in a lower dosage without one.
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Like Ozempic and Wegovy, liraglutide is an injected weight loss medication. It works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist to suppress appetite, similarly to semaglutide.
Also available under the brand name Victoza at a lower dose, this drug is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
(Related: Weight Loss Injections: Are They Safe?)
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These weight loss drugs are all available with a prescription from a healthcare professional, but how effective are they really?
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One study found that when people without diabetes took a weekly semaglutide injection they had a higher average weight loss — almost a 15 percent average decrease in weight — than people who took a placebo.
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Metformin has also demonstrated clinically significant weight loss. A 2020 meta-analysis of 21 trials testing metformin found the drug had a modest impact on lowering BMI, especially for those who are considered to have obesity.
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A smaller study on metformin also found that the average amount of weight lost in 154 patients was between 5.6 and 7 kgs (that’s roughly between 13 and 15 pounds).
It’s also worth mentioning cost here — if you can’t afford the drug you need to take, it’s effectiveness essentially drops to zero percent. That said, there’s some wide price disparity between weight loss drugs.
For instance, injectibals like Ozempic and Wegovy are generally more expensive than orals like metformin — namely because metformin is a generic medication that’s been around for decades, and Ozempic and Wegovy are newer.
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Because everyone’s weight loss journey is different, weight loss medications may work slowly for some people and faster for others.
How long you need to take a weight loss prescription drug depends on various factors such as what side effects you experience, how much weight you need to lose, whether the drug helps keep the weight off and more.
Generally, as found in the studies noted above and clinical trials, weight loss will occur within the first few months of using the medication.
Sometimes your health care professional may recommend long-term use of the medication, while other people may be advised to stop the drug if they don’t lose a certain amount of weight after 12 weeks.
If you’re taking a weight loss medication, your healthcare provider will likely suggest that you also increase your physical activity and make healthy lifestyle changes like eating lots of protein and fiber and getting enough sleep. These medications are the most effective when combined with healthy habits.
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Just like any medication, weight loss drugs also come with the possibility of side effects.
When it comes to injectibal drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, there are some broad side effects that apply to all injectibals — like swelling, redness or other discomfort at the injection site — but generally, the side effects profiles of these drugs are similar regardless of delivery method.
The most common side effects of many of these weight loss medications include:
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Stomach pain or constipation
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Diarrhea
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Nausea
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Vomiting
Some, like liraglutide and naltrexone-bupropion, may cause an increased heart rate or headaches.
Liraglutide and semaglutide may also increase the risk of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). You may also have a higher risk of developing tumors or thyroid cancer when using liraglutide or semaglutide, although these serious side effects are very rare.
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There’s a good chance you’ve heard of weight loss medications like Ozempic or even Wegovy, but there’s also a good chance that the headlines and celebrity-focused articles didn’t answer all your questions. Here’s what you need to know about whether they’re effective.
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There are several FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including semaglutide, orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion and liraglutide. Metformin is another common medication used off-label for weight management.
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These drugs all work slightly differently, but many decrease your appetite and help you stick to a lower-calorie diet. Healthcare providers often recommend they be used alongside regular exercise and healthy habits to maximize sustained weight loss.
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However, there are side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation and, for the injectibals, injection-side irritation, injury or discomfort. Often, these are mild and serious side effects rarely happen.
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Cost is also worth considering. Injectibals like Ozempic and Wegovy can generally cost anywhere from $800 to $1,000 per prescription, where a generic like metformin can be had for a fraction of that — usually for under $100 a month.
There’s no one “best weight loss medication” — there’s only what’s best for your particular needs. If you’re curious about medication for weight loss, you can talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice and to explore your options. And if you’re interested in other weight loss treatments online, we can help.
This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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