SSRI antidepressants

Although SSRIs are called antidepressants and are commonly used to treat moderate-to-severe depression, they are also used to treat many other conditions such as anxiety disorders (social anxiety, generalised anxiety, panic disorder, OCD and PTSD), eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, and mood changes related to periods (menstruation) called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. 

We don't know for certain, but researchers think that SSRIs work by increasing the activity of serotonin which is thought to improve mood, emotion and sleep. 

SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants. For depression, they are usually the first choice if a medicine is needed as they have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressants. Read more about antidepressants.  

It's recommended that SSRIs are used alongside non-medication treatments such as counselling, exercise and good sleep.

If you need help or want to talk to somebody about your mental health, you can get support from any of the following:

• Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
• Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• Healthline 0800 611 116
• Samaritans 0800 726 666.

SSRIs can improve your mood, so that you feel better. You may feel less worried about difficult life events and have fewer negative thoughts. You may find that you have more energy, sleep better, and concentrate better. SSRIs are also effective for reducing panic attacks, general worries and anxiety.

Like all medicines, SSRIs can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.

When you first start taking SSRIs, they can cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), trouble sleeping (insomnia), sweating, anxiety or restlessness and diarrhoea (runny poos).

Worsening of agitation and feelings of self-harm or suicidal thoughts can happen in the first few days or weeks of starting an SSRI. It's very important that you talk to your healthcare provider if you have these feelings.

See the individual medicine pages above for more information about the side effects of each SSRI.

The different SSRIs seem to work just as well in improving the symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression. SSRIs differ in their side effects and interactions with other medicines.

This means that the best choice of SSRI for you will depend on:

• whether you have other medical conditions
• if you are taking other medicines
• your response to antidepressant medicines in the past
• the possible side effects.

It can take 4 to 6 weeks before you notice the full benefits of SSRIs but you should start to feel better after 1 to 2 weeks.

When you first start taking an SSRI, you may notice side effects such anxiety, restlessness and agitation, tiredness or lack of motivation and interest (which can be mistaken for your condition) and sleep problems. You may feel that your symptoms are getting worse at first because of the initial side effects. Keep in mind that things will get better and these side effects will usually pass as your body gets used to the new medicine. Tell your doctor if these effects are bothering you, or if you feel like they are not going away.

It's recommended that antidepressants are continued for at least 6 months after you feel better. Your doctor may recommend that you take it for longer. Talk to your doctor about how long you should take your SSRI for. 

No, never take more than the dose that’s prescribed. SSRIs don't work immediately. The body's response is based on regular levels of the SSRI over several weeks, not hours or minutes.

It's best to avoid alcohol while you are taking SSRIs, especially when you first start treatment. Drinking alcohol while taking SSRIs can cause drowsiness and affect concentration. This can put you at risk of falls and other accidents. It can also cause agitation, aggression and forgetfulness. If you do drink alcohol, drink only small amounts and see how you feel. Don't stop taking your medication.

After starting you on an SSRI, your doctor will monitor your symptoms. If, after at least 6 weeks of being on the SSRI, your symptoms don't improve your doctor may try you on another SSRI or a different type of antidepressant. Do not stop taking your SSRI without speaking to your doctor because stopping SSRIs needs to be done slowly.

SSRIs can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. The most common symptoms are dizziness, vertigo, nausea, tiredness, and headache. You may also have similar symptoms to those you had before starting the medication (eg, depression, anxiety, irritability). More serious withdrawal symptoms include feelings like electric shocks, and seizures (fits). To avoid this, it's best to stop SSRIs gradually, where your dose is reduced slowly over at least 4 weeks.