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Effect of SSRIs on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat the depression that may accompany chronic fatigue syndrome. Some believe they may also be beneficial for CFS even if you are not depressed. Improvement may be seen in four to six weeks after beginning treatment.
Common names include:
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
Read more details about SSRIs.
Possible side effects of SSRIs include:
- Drowsiness
- Dryness of mouth
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sexual dysfunction
- Risk of severe mood and behavior changes
- Suicidal thoughts and actions
Gastrointestinal upset is the most common side effect that users experience. These include nausea, diarrhea, and cramping. It is commonly recommended that users take SSRIs with food and an antacid or antiemetic for the first 2-3 weeks of treatment.
SSRIs also activate the central nervous system, which can result in agitation, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.
FDA issued a warning that combining an SSRI with one of the commonly-used "triptan" medications for migraine headaches can cause serious side effects such as agitation, hallucinations, elevated body temperature, and rapid changes in blood pressure. (6)
Other side effects can include headache, dry mouth, excessive sweating, tremor, and sexual dysfunction.
Do not take selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs) with monoamine inhibitors (MAOIs).
The first SSRI on the market was fluoxetine (Prozac). The newer agents are: citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).8 They all share the same side effects but in varying degrees. Unlike TCAs, they interact very little with other receptors besides the serotonin 5-HT reuptake receptor. Their side effects tend to be related to increased serotonin activity: nausea, gastrointestinal upset, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, headache, restlessness, and sexual dysfunction. This class of drugs is prescribed for mild to moderate depression.8
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