antidepressents

can antidepressents (zoloft  in particular) cause rapid and irregular heart rates?

[Brnvc]

My cardiologists approved zoloft as the only safe antidepressant that would not elevate my heart. It did elevate my heart but, more important, it aggravated an underlying problem I used to have with PVC's which are not occurring at a rate of 360 an hour. I wish I knew of an antidepressant safe for depression but I can't find one. For me, the most benign zoloft was a disaster.

[dlcottage]

you know i have noticed this about zoloft. i have taken this for years and never had this effect but just recently aabout a month ago started back on 50 mg of zoloft and i am getting lots of heart palpitations.. going for stress test this month already had echo echo fine couple leaky valves with age but nothing seroius.

[bgrimes86]

Unlike the older ones (TCA's and MAOI's), the newer antidepressants (SSRI's) like Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, Luvox, etc. have a very low risk of heart-related side effects, mainly due to their lack of anticholergic side effects. However, there are some folks in this forum who complain of heart palpitations with the SSRI's, which then causes them to discontinue the drug. The most likely explanation for this is the fact that SSRI's can produce a stimulating effect on the central nervous system at the beginning of drug therapy, but this effect generally goes away after a week or so. In order to avoid this, split the pills into several pieces and gradually increase your dose as desired. Sometimes, benzos like Valium, Ativan, or Xanax are taken when first beginning these meds in order to reverse the initial stimulation, but shouldn't be taken for long because they are addictive. I take Lexapro and it's helped my heart palpitations significantly. Don't let anyone scare you into not taking an antidepressant; everybody is different, so don't let people's negative experiences with a drug prevent you from trying it. Good luck.

[EmpressofQ]

We found out the hardway my son had a reaction to an antidepressant.  Taken by ambulance (twice) after having fainted at work and hit head on ground.  His heartrate was 40!  They say only extreme athletes have that low a rate.  Like Lance Armstrong has a 39-40 heartrate.  Not normal.  After having quit meds for about 2 months it got better and better til back to normal.  BE CAREFUL!!!

[EmpressofQ]

PS: Try another antidepressant.  I know my daughter could not make it without one.  She had to try several over the last 11 years to find one that is right for her.  Some even worked for about 2 yrs, then all of a sudden caused problems with headaches etc.  Don't just quit taking antidepressants on your own!  This can be as bad as the heart trouble or worse!

[worried784]

I'm glad you asked this question.  I have tachycardia and was recently told to take zoloft for my depression along with a calcium channel blocker which I am already taking and it is not working.  I was told zoloft would DECREASE my palpitations, but after reading what I just did, now I'm not so sure.