Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) aren't suitable for everyone. They can cause problems if you have other health conditions or if they're taken alongside other medications.
Some of the issues you and your doctor will need to bear in mind when taking SSRIs, or when considering using them, include:
SSRIs may not be suitable if you have any of the following conditions:
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.
If you're pregnant and think you may be depressed, you should discuss the risks and benefits of using SSRIs with your doctor. If SSRIs are recommended, you'll usually be prescribed fluoxetine, citalopram or sertraline because these are thought to be relatively safe to use.
You should also speak to your doctor for advice if you become pregnant while you're taking SSRIs.
As a precaution, SSRIs aren't usually recommended during pregnancy, particularly during the first 3 months (the first trimester). This is because there may be a risk to the baby.
However, exceptions can be made if the risk posed by depression (or another mental health condition) outweighs the potential risks of treatment.
Possible risks of taking SSRIs during pregnancy include:
If you're prescribed SSRIs when breastfeeding, paroxetine or sertraline are usually recommended and are considered safe to use.
However, other SSRIs may be used if it's thought that the benefits of treatment and benefits of breastfeeding your baby outweigh the potential risks.
SSRIs aren't usually recommended for children and young people under the age of 18. This is because there's evidence of an increased risk of self-harm and thoughts about suicide in this age group.
There are also concerns that the use of SSRIs could affect brain development in children and young people.
However, children and young people under the age of 18 may be offered an SSRI if talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), alone haven't helped. In such cases, an SSRI will only be prescribed in addition to a talking therapy and treatment must be supervised by a psychiatrist (a doctor who specialises in treating mental health conditions).
If an SSRI is recommended, fluoxetine is usually the first choice.
Some SSRIs can cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision, particularly when you first start taking them.
If you do experience these symptoms, you shouldn't drive or use heavy tools and machinery. The symptoms should be temporary, but speak to your doctor if you're unsure.
SSRIs can react unpredictably with certain other medications (known as "interacting"), potentially increasing the risk of side effects such as bleeding or a problem known as "serotonin syndrome".
Some of the medications that can interact with some SSRIs include:
However, this isn't an exhaustive list of all the medications that can interact with SSRIs, and not all of these interactions apply to all types of SSRI.
You should always make sure you carefully read the patient information leaflet that comes with your SSRI medication to see if there are any medications you should avoid. If in doubt, your pharmacist or GP should be able to advise you.
Alcohol isn't usually recommended if you're taking an SSRI, because it can increase any drowsiness you may experience and can make feelings of depression worse.
The SSRI, fluvoxamine, is also known to enhance the effects of caffeine, so people who drink large amounts of caffeine may experience unpleasant symptoms such as palpitations, feeling sick, restlessness and insomnia.
You should therefore avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee, energy drinks and cola, while taking fluvoxamine.
St John's wort is a popular herbal remedy promoted for the treatment of depression.
While there's some evidence that St John's wort may help mild to moderate depression, many experts advise against using it because the amount of active ingredient can vary significantly and you can never be sure what sort of effect it will have on you.
Taking St John's wort alongside SSRIs can also potentially cause serious health problems.