Side-Effects of Antidepressants
Tardive Dyskinesia/Dystonia, Parkinsonism &
Akathisia
SSRI &
SSNRI antidepressants induced side-effects (Iatrogenic Extrapyramidal Symptoms)
are recognized to be similar to Neuroleptic
(anti-psychotic) induced side-effects. These side-effects are known as Tardive Dyskinesia/Dystonia
(severe body movement disorder, mostly permanent), Parkinsonism (a sign of future
Parkinson's disease) and Akathisia
(a Neurological driven severe mania/agitation that can lead to suicidality, suicide attempts, self-harm & suicide). It
is well documented in the medical
literature that these neuroleptic
induced side-effects refer to damage at dopaminergic
neurons in the "motor system" of the "Basal Ganglia", a structure
deep in the "Limbic System"
of the brain.
Serotonin Syndrome
The Serotonin Syndrome is a potentially lethal condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity. It is a very dangerous and a potentially fatal side effect of the serotonergic enhancing drugs such as SSRI & SSNRI
antidepressants and is diagnosed by the presence of at least 3 of 10 symptoms:
mental status changes (confusion, hypomania), agitation, myoclonus,
hyperreflexia, diaphoresis, shivering, tremor,
diarrhea, incoordination, and fever. This "hyperserotonergic" toxic condition requires heightened
clinical awareness in order to prevent, recognize, and treat the condition
promptly. Promptness is vital because, as we just mentioned, the serotonin
syndrome can be fatal and death from this side effect
can come very rapidly. The Serotonin syndrome is brought on by excessive levels
of serotonin and is difficult to distinguish from the "Neuroleptic
Malignant Syndrome" because the symptoms are so similar. The "Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome" is a serious condition
brought on by the use of neuroleptic drugs
(anti-psychotics).
Antidepressant induced
neurological and/or physical toxicity (body and/or brain damage) either as a
result of prolonged inhibition of P450-2D6
liver-enzymes, or as a result of impairing serotonin metabolism, can
take on many forms as described below. A few examples are: Hyperserotonemia,
such as the lifethreatening condition the Serotonin Syndrome, Epileptiform Discharges, Epileptic Seizures and/or
Epilepsy, Hypoglycaemia/Hyperglycemia (Low/Elevated Blood Sugar
Imbalance), Stroke/Hemorrhagic
Syndromes, Frontal Lobe Syndrome,
Tardive Dyskinesia/Dystonia,
Parkinsonism, Akathisia, Mania, etc...
In 24 trials
involving more than 4,400 patients taking antidepressants, researchers found a
greater risk of increased suicidal thoughts and behavior during the first few
months of treatment.
Celexa, Prozac and
Zoloft posed lower risks for children, researchers found, while Luvox, Effexor and Paxil had
higher risks of increased suicidal thoughts and behavior. Prozac is the only
antidepressant approved by the FDA for use for treating depression in pediatric
patients. Anafranil, Prozac, Luvox
and Zoloft have been used for treating obsessive compulsive disorder in
pediatric patients. The new warnings, however, will be carried by all
antidepressants, including Anafranil, Aventyl, Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor, Elavil, Lexapro, Limbitrol, Ludiomil, Luvox, Marplan, Nardil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Parnate, Paxil, Pexeva, Prozac, Remeron, Sarafem, Serzone, Sinequan, Surmontil, Symbyax, Tofranil,
Tofranil-PM, Triavil, Vivactil,
Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Zyban.
Serious Adverse Reactions
After growing reports concerning
withdrawal symptoms to SSRI-antidepressants, pharmaceutical companies renamed
these phenomena "antidepressant
discontinuation syndrome", avoiding the negative connotations of the
word "withdrawal". This creates the illusion that one is familiar
with the side-effects from SSRI's, that they are
rarely reported and that their products are safe. Ofcourse
they want the people and doctors to keep on believing that withdrawal only
happens to a minority of people and that the symptoms are mild and short-lived.
In fact the side effects from
SSRI-antidepressants are far more serious than just the addiction to it and
withdrawal symptoms. Many individuals who took an SSRI-antidepressant or tried
to get off an SSRI-antidepressant experienced the most horrible adverse
reactions. Many individuals have suffered for years or are still suffering
because they experienced an extremely negative reaction to one of these drugs! What happened in the brains of these
individuals? Scientists have recently discovered that Prozac induces muscle
contractions in the worm suggesting that Prozac has other molecular targets in
the brain. Researchers from