Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's)

SSRI's also help treat panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia.

Side Effects

SSRI's usually cause sexual side effects. SSRI users complain of one or more sexual side effects, mostly, inability to have an orgasm, but also decreased desire and arousal, erection impairment in men, and loss of lubrication in women.

SSRI's also disrupt sleep. They often cause the patient to awaken slightly, they usually don't remember these sleep disruptions, but they appear in sleep studies of SSRI users, and add to the fatigue some users use as a reason for discontinuing with these drugs.

Other side effects include:

Prozac: nausea, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, diarrhea, and tremor.

Zoloft: nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, tremor, sweating, and indigestion.

Paxil: nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, weakness, constipation, dizziness, insomnia, diarrhea, sweating, and tremor.

Using the Drug

Prozac: The recommended dose is 20 mg/day. If necessary, it may be increased up to 80 mg/day (lower in the elderly).

Zoloft: The recommended dose is 50 mg/day. If necessary, it may be increased up to 200 mg/day (lower in the elderly).

Paxil: The recommended dose is 20 mg/day. If necessary, it may be increased up to 50 mg/day (40 mg/day in the elderly).