The Health Sciences Institute is intended to provide cutting-edge health information.
Nothing on this site should be interpreted as personal medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before changing anything related to your healthcare.

Antidepressants may come with dangerous side effects

Over a decade ago, my father was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Since then, I’ve been very open about his disease when talking with friends, colleaguesreally with anyone who asked or was interested.

Yet, he suffers from another illness I’ve been silent about: depression.

Sadly, it’s not out of concern for his privacy. Rather, it’s because of the strong stigma associated with it. Leukemiatragic, poor guy, can’t the doctors do anything? Depressionwhy doesn’t he just snap out of it?

Unfortunately, my father is not alone. Today, members of three generations of my family are on prescription antidepressants to deal with this difficult and deeply personal illness.

I’m not talking about “the blues” or having a particularly stressful day. I’m talking about people who are uncertain about how they will get out of bed that morning, crying for days after spilling ice cream on the counter, not opening their mail for weeks at a time because they simply can’t face the sheer volume of it.

So as a member of this family, I admit that I’ve been very grateful for antidepressants because they have let the people I love get out of bed every morning and face the day.

Yet, as the director of HSI, I’ve tried to work with them and their doctors to find suitable natural alternatives that are effective enough to give the results they need but without the long list of side effects associated with the drugs. And the list continues to grow. Now we are discovering a new side effect, the risks which increase with age.

A new study published in the British Medical Journal shows that the use of antidepressants can increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding for people over 65. And the newer types of antidepressants – the ones now prescribed most often – are the worst offenders.

All antidepressants work by manipulating the brain’s use of serotonin, the chemical largely responsible for your mood. Under ideal conditions, the brain cells secrete serotonin in response to signals from other parts of the brain. The serotonin then travels across synapses and bonds with serotonin receptors on other cells. After all the receptors are full, the original cell reabsorbs any unused serotonin, a process known in medical terms as “reuptake.” Antidepressants work by interfering with the reuptake process, allowing more serotonin to circulate freely in the brain. More circulating serotonin makes you feel calm, peaceful, and content.

But the newest and most popular class of antidepressants, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), blocks even more serotonin from being reabsorbed. And while this has been praised as a breakthrough in the treatment of depression, it also robs the platelets of serotonin, which they need for clotting. Usually, platelets use the excess serotonin absorbed during reuptake. But when that supply is blocked by SSRIs, the platelets have less serotonin to work with – and consequently, the blood is thinner.

Thinner blood may be a good thing for some people; many take prescription drugs or aspirin each day for just that benefit. But this may be a case of too much of a good thing. According to the BMJ study, doctors have reported many years’ worth of anecdotal evidence associating SSRIs with a “variety of bleeding events.” But until now, there hadn’t been much well-designed, in-depth research into this dangerous side effect.

In the new study, researchers tracked 317,824 people over 65 in Ontario, Canada, from 1992 to 1998.

Participants took a variety of antidepressants. The researchers classified them according to the strength of their inhibition effect. For example, SSRIs like paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluoxetine (Prozac) were in the high group. Older tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Impril, Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil, Levate) were classified as intermediate, while desipramine (Norpramin) and doxepin (Sinequan) were classified as low.

In short, here’s what they found: the higher the inhibition of serotonin, the greater the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. During the study period, 974 participants had upper GI bleeding incidents. Of those, 41 percent occurred in people taking drugs in the high group. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding jumped more than nine percent between the low and intermediate groups, and another nine percent between the intermediate and the high group.

They also found that certain groups are at even greater risk from these drugs. For instance, people in their 80s had nearly three times the risk of a upper GI bleed as people between 65 and 70. People with prior gastrointestinal bleeding had nearly five times the risk as people who had never had the problem. And a variety of drugs were found to compound the effects; for example, use of glucocorticoids or anticoagulants doubled the risk, while use of NSAIDs increased the risk nearly three times.

This may be the most recently studied side effect of SSRIs, but it is hardly the only one. SSRIs can also cause nausea, headache, anxiety, dry mouth, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, diarrhea, and tremors. The worst possible side effect is serotonin syndrome, a frightening condition characterized by psychotic episodes. Side effects from Paxil (a popular SSRI in the high group) can be so extreme that users have filed a lawsuit against its manufacturer. The suit claims that users endured horrific side effects like electric-like shocks and suicidal thoughts when they stopped taking the drug.

If you are over 65 and you take an SSRI antidepressant, talk to your doctor about your risk of upper GI bleeding. This study tells us that you are at particular risk if you are 80 or older, have had previous episodes of bleeding, or have diabetes. Taking SSRIs in conjunction with some drugs may also increase your risk; talk to your doctor if you regularly take NSAIDs, aspirin, glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, or peptic ulcer treatment.

And remember, as I mentioned above, prescription antidepressants are NOT the only option for dealing with depression. Some people have found relief simply by addressing underlying nutrient deficiencies. According to HSI panelist Dr. Michael E. Rosenbaum, a B-complex supplement, along with supplemental vitamin C and phenylalanine, can make a big difference. Dr. Rosenbaum also recommends kava kava and St. John’s Wort. You can find out more about Dr. Rosenbaum’s recommendations for naturally treating depression, stress, and fatigue in our HSI special report, “Energy For Life.” (To order, for $19.95 with free S&H, click here http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/HSEN/1754W.)

Studies have found that many people respond just as well to these natural therapies as they do to prescription antidepressants, without the toxic side effects. However, there are still concerns about drug interactions, particularly with St. John’s Wort. Take stock of all medications you take and discuss the change with your doctor before switching. And NEVER take St. John’s Wort while taking SSRIs – that can also lead to serotonin syndrome.

If you’ve been taking antidepressants and have been helped by them, the idea of discontinuing them can be daunting in itself. Make sure you discuss any treatment decisions and concerns not only with your physician but with your therapist, as well.

Copyright 1997-2002 by Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C.

 

 

Get a free copy of 5 Household Items that Cause Cancer

By texting HSI to 844-539-1128, you are providing your electronic signature expressly consenting to be called and texted (including by prerecorded messages, using an autodialer, and/or automated means) with alerts, stories, reports, and marketing communications from Institute of Health Sciences, LLC. and its authorized representatives at the phone number you provide, including landlines and wireless numbers, even if the phone number is on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call list. You also consent and unconditionally agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the arbitration provision and class action waiver contained therein. Msg&data rates may apply. 15 Msgs/Month. You are not required to agree to this as a condition of making a purchase.

Terms & Conditions

The following Terms and Conditions apply to your use of the website located at hsionline.com (the “website”) and any text messages that you send to or receive from the Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C. These Terms and Conditions constitute a binding agreement (“Agreement”) between you (“you”) Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C (“we”, “us”, etc.)  Please read these terms carefully. 

By providing your telephone number to us, texting us a short code listed on the website, or otherwise indicate your agreement to these Terms and Conditions, you are agreeing to the mandatory arbitration provision and class action waiver below. 

ARBITRATION IS MANDATORY AND THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY AND ALL DISPUTES RELATED TO THIS WEBSITE, THIS AGREEMENT, AND ANY TELEPHONE CALLS, EMAILS, OR TEXT MESSAGES THAT YOU RECEIVE FROM OR ON BEHALF OF US, UNLESS SPECIFIED BELOW OR UNLESS YOU OPT-OUT.

Text Messaging and Telemarketing Terms and Conditions

When you provide your telephone number on this website or send a text message to us with or from a short-code, you agree to receive alerts and communications, and marketing messages including those sent via automated telephone dialing system, text messages, SMS, MMS, and picture messages from Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C at the phone number you provide on this website or the phone number from which you text the short code, including on landlines and wireless numbers, even if the phone number is on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call list. You also agree to the mandatory arbitration provision and class action waiver below. Your consent is not required to purchase goods or services. Message & data rates may apply.

You may opt-out at any time by texting the word STOP to the telephone number from which you receive the text messages.  Call 1-888-213-0764 to learn more.  By providing your telephone number, you agree to notify us of any changes to your telephone number and update your account us to reflect this change. Your carrier may charge you for text messages and telephone calls that you receive, or may prohibit or restrict certain mobile features, and certain mobile features may be incompatible with your carrier or mobile device. Contact your carrier with questions regarding these issues.

Dispute Resolution by Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

Any dispute relating in any way to telephone calls, emails, or text messages that you receive from or on behalf of Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C this website, or this Agreement (collectively “Disputes”) shall be submitted to confidential arbitration and shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Maryland, excluding its conflict of law provisions.  For the avoidance of doubt, all claims arising under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and state telemarketing laws shall be considered “Disputes” that are subject to resolution by binding individual, confidential arbitration.

If a Dispute arises under this Agreement, you agree to first contact us at 1-888-213-0764 or help@hsionline.com. Before formally submitting a Dispute to arbitration, you and we may choose to informally resolve the Dispute.  If any Dispute cannot be resolved informally, you agree that any and all Disputes, including the validity of this arbitration clause and class action waiver, shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration before a single arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in a location convenient to you or telephonically. Either you or we may commence the arbitration process by submitting a written demand for arbitration with the AAA, and providing a copy to the other party.  The arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the AAA’s Commercial Dispute Resolutions Procedures, Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes, in effect at the time of submission of the demand for arbitration.  Except as may be required by law as determined by the arbitrator, no party or arbitrator may disclose the existence, content or results of any arbitration hereunder without the prior written consent of both parties. Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C will pay all of the filing costs.  Without limiting the foregoing, YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE TO SUBMIT TO ARBITRATION ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO ANY TEXT MESSAGES OR TELEPHONE CALLS YOU RECEIVE FROM OR ON BEHALF OF US OR ANY ENTITY WITH WHOM WE MAY SHARE YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER.  Further, we both agree that all entities with whom we share your telephone numbers shall be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement to Arbitrate Disputes, and that those entities have the same rights as Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C to enforce this arbitration provision.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be subject to arbitration and may be adjudicated only in the state and federal courts of Maryland: (i) any dispute, controversy, or claim relating to or contesting the validity of our or one of our family company’s intellectual property rights and proprietary rights, including without limitation, patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, or trade secrets; (ii) an action by us for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief, whether prohibitive or mandatory, or other provisional relief; (iii) any legal action by us against a non-consumer; or (iv) interactions with governmental and regulatory authorities.  You expressly agree to refrain from bringing or joining any claims in any representative or class-wide capacity, including but not limited to bringing or joining any claims in any class action or any class-wide arbitration.

The arbitrator’s award shall be binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no arbitration under this Agreement may be joined to an arbitration involving any other party subject to this Agreement, whether through a class action, private attorney general proceeding, class arbitration proceedings or otherwise.

YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WOULD HAVE HAD A RIGHT TO LITIGATE IN A COURT, TO HAVE A JUDGE OR JURY DECIDE YOUR CASE AND TO BE PARTY TO A CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION.  HOWEVER, YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO HAVE ANY CLAIMS DECIDED INDIVIDUALLY AND ONLY THROUGH ARBITRATION.  You shall have thirty (30) days from the earliest of the date that you visit the website, the date you submit information to us through the website, or the date that you send a text message to us, to opt out of this arbitration agreement, by contacting us by email at help@hsionline.com or by mail Health Sciences Institute, PO Box 913, Frederick, MD 21705-0913. If you do not opt out by the earliest of the date that you visit the website, the date you submit information to us through the website, or the date that you send a text message to us, then you are not eligible to opt out of this arbitration agreement.

Electronic Signatures

All information communicated on the website is considered an electronic communication.  When you communicate with us through or on the website, by text message or telephone, or via other forms of electronic media, such as e-mail, you are communicating with us electronically.  You agree that we may communicate electronically with you and that such communications, as well as notices, disclosures, agreements, and other communications that we provide to you electronically, are equivalent to communications in writing and shall have the same force and effect as if they were in writing and signed by the party sending the communication.

You further acknowledge and agree that by clicking on a button labeled “ORDER NOW”, “SUBMIT”, “I ACCEPT”, “I AGREE”, “YES”, by texting a short code to us in response to a request on this website, or by clicking or similar links or buttons, you are submitting a legally binding electronic signature and are entering into a legally binding contract.  You acknowledge that your electronic submissions constitute your agreement and intent to be bound by this Agreement.  Pursuant to any applicable statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances or other laws, including without limitation the United States Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, P.L. 106-229 (the “E-Sign Act”) or other similar statutes, YOU HEREBY AGREE TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES, CONTRACTS, ORDERS AND OTHER RECORDS AND TO ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF NOTICES, POLICIES AND RECORDS OF TRANSACTIONS INITIATED OR COMPLETED THROUGH THE WEBSITE.  Furthermore, you hereby waive any rights or requirements under any statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances or other laws in any jurisdiction which require an original signature, delivery or retention of non-electronic records, or to payments or the granting of credits by other than electronic means You may receive a physical paper copy of this contract by contacting us at help@hsionline.com.

Privacy Policy

Please read our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.  In the event of any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy, these Terms shall control.

Contact Us

You may contact us by telephone at 1-888-213-0764 or by email at help@hsionline.com.