Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Antidepressants are frequently prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of depression for those with bipolar disorder (manic depression). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a subclass of antidepressants. Found here are resources and information regarding this class of drugs.
Guest author PaulaHOST gives readers a look at the causes and symptoms of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome, the uncomfortable reaction some people have to cutting down or quitting certain types of medications.
PaulaHOST gives tips for both pill and capsule handling to ease the effects of lowering your dosage or discontinuing a medication when a too-abrupt transition could cause troubling symptoms.
To minimize the symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation, gradual tapering is necessary for all serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) except fluoxetine, which has an extended half-life. Agents with shorter half-lives such as venlafaxine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine should be tapered gradually.
Some antidepressants may have adverse effects on cognitive skills such as memory and vigilance according to researchers at the Experimental Psychopharmacology Unit, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
