New warning on antidepressants and all the withdrawal symptoms to look out for – some medical experts say there is no benefit to long-term used of antidepressants – and if you decide to come off the drugs, these are the withdrawal symptoms to watch for
By David BentleyContent Writer (Money and Travel)
18:01, 19 JUN 2023 Updated18:22, 19 JUN 2023
A BBC Panorama documentary is taking a look at modern antidepressant drugs and their side-effects and withdrawal symptoms (Image: PA)
A BBC Panorama documentary has found there are now more than eight million people in England on antidepressants. Around a quarter of that number have been taking them for five years despite the potential risks to their health and the greater chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
The NHS says people must not suddenly stop taking antidepressants and has urged patients to speak to their GP before they decide to give up their medication. But doctors say that some long-term antidepressant use may be because withdrawal symptoms can make it so hard to come off the tablets.
Healthcare professionals recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks or longer, depending on how long you’ve been on them. So what are the withdrawal symptoms to look out for?
The NHS says withdrawal symptoms usually come on within five days of stopping the medicine and generally last up to two weeks. But some people have severe withdrawal symptoms that last for several months or more.
If you get severe withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking antidepressants, talk to your GP. They may suggest taking another antidepressant from the same group and reducing the dose more slowly or even stopping completely and managing your symptoms. The NHS directs people to mental health charity MIND for details of the signs of withdrawal to look for.
According to experts at MIND, people coming off antidepressants should look out for the following withdrawal symptoms:
For people on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
These are the newest types of antidepressant drugs and are the most widely prescribed as they cause fewer side effects. In addition, an overdose is less likely to be serious. They include fluoxetine, sold under the brand name Prozac. Withdrawal symptoms can include:
dizziness or vertigo
electric shock sensations in your head
flu-like symptoms
problems with movement, such as problems with balance or walking, or involuntary movements
sensory disturbance, such as smelling something that isn’t there
stomach cramps
strange dreams
tinnitus
similar issues to your original problems including anxiety, crying spells, depression, disturbed sleep, fatigue, mania, mood swings, suicidal thoughts, poor concentration/memory
For people on tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
TCAs are an older type of antidepressant and are not usually recommended as a first treatment for depression because they can be more dangerous if an overdose is taken, the NHS said. They also cause more unpleasant side effects than SSRIs and SNRIs.
Exceptions can be made if other treatments don’t work. TCAs may also be used for other mental health conditions including OCD and bipolar disorder.
anxiety
fast or irregular heartbeat
flu-like symptoms, such as aching muscles, chills, headaches, nausea and sweating
insomnia
low blood pressure
problems with movement, such as problems with balance or walking, or involuntary movements
restlessness
spontaneous orgasm
strange dreams.
For people on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Rarely used nowadays, these can cause potentially serious side effects so should only be prescribed by a specialist doctor. Withdrawal symptoms include:
agitation
difficulty thinking
disturbed sleep
extreme sleepiness
hallucinations
irritability
psychotic experiences, such as paranoid delusions
problems with movement
strange dreams
unsteadiness.
Some medical professionals say there is no evidence that taking antidepressants for many years is beneficial. It’s been suggested this can lead to health risks such as heart problems and diabetes, as well as a higher chance of withdrawal symptoms.
The BBC investigation claims that one leading drug company tried to conceal possible withdrawal effects for one type of antidepressant.
Panorama’s The Antidepressant Story is on BBC One at 8pm on Monday, June 19. You can find out more about antidepressants at the NHS website and at the MIND website.
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