Phsyciatric Drug Side Effects

Phsyciatric Drug Side Effects

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and borderline personality disorder

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) balance brain chemicals called Balancing these brain chemicals can relieve symptoms of such as irritability, anger, impulsive behavior, and depression.
Some examples of SSRIs that may be used to treat borderline personality disorder are:
• Sertraline (Zoloft).
• Fluoxetine (such as Prozac).
• Paroxetine (Paxil).
• Fluvoxamine (such as Luvox).
• Citalopram (such as Celexa).
• Escitalopram (Lexapro).
SSRIs are often the first medicine used to treat borderline personality disorder because they often are effective and have few side effects.
Side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include:
• Nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or weight gain.
• Anxiety or irritability.
• Problems sleeping or drowsiness.
• Loss of sexual desire or ability.
• Headaches or dizziness.
SSRIs can take several weeks to start working, although they may be effective sooner.
Never suddenly stop taking antidepressants. The use of any antidepressant should be tapered off slowly and only under the supervision of a doctor. Abruptly stopping antidepressant medicines can cause negative side effects or a relapse of symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
FDA Advisories. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued:
• An advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines, but to watch for warning signs of suicide in those using them. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.
• A warning on the antidepressants Paxil and Paxil CR (paroxetine) and birth defects. One new study showed that women who took Paxil during their first 12 weeks of pregnancy had a slightly higher chance of having a baby with birth defects.
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