The Truth About Rx Depression Meds

Those afflicted with depression are commonly prescribed pharmaceutical medications, most often selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, and Lexapro.

The range of their uses has expanded from depression to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and many other psychiatric conditions. Unfortunately, these drugs tend to come packaged with undesirable side effects and can be addictive in many cases.

According to Harvard Medical School, some patients taking SSRIs develop insomnia, skin rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. A more serious potential issue is reduced blood clotting capacity due to a decreased concentration of the neurotransmitter serotonin in platelets.

For many patients, SSRIs diminish sexual interest, desire, performance, and/or satisfaction. In men, SSRIs can delay or inhibit ejaculation, and in women, delay or prevent orgasm.

More alarmingly, these Rx antidepressant drugs may incite violent or self-destructive actions. In 2004, the FDA first initiated a Black Box Warning on SSRIs—its strongest available measure short of withdrawing a drug from the market.

The warning about risk of suicidal thoughts, hostility, and agitation in children, teens and young adults is still placed on package inserts for all antidepressants in common use.

Needless to say, given the many potential hazards of Rx meds for depression, people are increasingly seeking effective natural solutions.