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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
specific differences between ssri's
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
specific differences between ssri's
by chris, Jun 05, 2000 12:00AM
I've been through Paxil, Zoloft, and most recently, Serzone, over the past 8 years. I suffer from major depression, and have in addition to drug therapy been in psychotherapy (cognitive) for treatment. All drugs worked to some extent (though not without side effects) but were discontinued when either they a). quit working or b). the side effects became intolerable. I am to start Celexa tomorrow, and am aware of all the side effects but am frustrated in the lack of info. available which specifically differenciates between SSRI's. I've asked both my doctors and they just tell me "there are differences" But WHAT differences? How are they different? If Paxil and Zoloft both eventually simply stopped working but not before destroying my libido and ability to acheive orgasm, can I realistically expect a more positive response to Celexa? Can you outline the differences for me please? I have spent HOURS on line trying to find the answer to this question without success. Thank you for your kind attention to this question.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD - RG, Jun 05, 2000 12:00AM
They all are similar to their effect - that is to increase the serotonin level in your brain. And because of the increase in serotonin level, sexual dysfunction is a common side effect.
Their difference lie mainly in the side effects profile. An SSRI may cause drowsiness (paxil) as others may cause insomnia (prozac). The half-life or the length of time that the drug stay in the system is also a differentiating factor - prozac stays the longest and the others (zoloft/paxil) 24 hours.
Celexa is quite new in the United States but have been used in Europe extensively. I personally see no difference in efficacy from other SSRIs, however, some pts report less side effects from it.
In choosing antidepressant in your case, I would discuss with your psychiatrist to try another antidepressant not of the SSRI family as you have been tried 2x in the past with limited results. I suggest Wellbutrin, or Effexor, or Remeron. You can also choose to have ECT which some psychiatrists find more effective than medications.
Their difference lie mainly in the side effects profile. An SSRI may cause drowsiness (paxil) as others may cause insomnia (prozac). The half-life or the length of time that the drug stay in the system is also a differentiating factor - prozac stays the longest and the others (zoloft/paxil) 24 hours.
Celexa is quite new in the United States but have been used in Europe extensively. I personally see no difference in efficacy from other SSRIs, however, some pts report less side effects from it.
In choosing antidepressant in your case, I would discuss with your psychiatrist to try another antidepressant not of the SSRI family as you have been tried 2x in the past with limited results. I suggest Wellbutrin, or Effexor, or Remeron. You can also choose to have ECT which some psychiatrists find more effective than medications.
The only thing that ever bothers me is if I forget to take it for a day. Then by noon the day after that I start feeling bad. It is an awful feeling, so I guess that would be withdrawals.
Good luck to you.