Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely prescribed in the treatment of depression and anxiety, as well as obsessive-compulsive, eating, and impulse-control disorders. Paralleling their widespread use has been an increase in adverse-effect reports not noted during short-term efficacy studies. Significant among these adverse effects is SSRI discontinuation syndrome, which follo...

3, 4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) also known as Ecstasy is a common recreational drug of abuse and reports of abuse of tricyclic antidepressants are also known. We report two cases of misuse of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) antidepressants in combination with Ecstasy and their beneficial subjective effects experienced by misusers. We hypothesise the probable underlyin...

OBJECTIVE To revise and update consensus guidelines for medication treatment algorithms for childhood major depressive disorder based on new scientific evidence and expert clinical consensus when evidence is lacking. METHOD A consensus conference was held January 13-14, 2005, that included academic clinicians and researchers, practicing clinicians, administrators, consumers, and families. The...

inal symptoms at the same intensity as before treatment, entailing a return of the same episode and a new episode of illness, respectively [6, 9] . When treatment with a CNS drug is discontinued, patients can experience classic new withdrawal symptoms, rebound and/or persistent postwithdrawal disorders, or relapse/recurrence of the original illness [6, 9, 14] . New and rebound symptoms can occu...

OBJECTIVES Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-induced apathy is characterized by a lack of motivation that is not a result of sedation or symptoms of depression. This report describes two pediatric cases of SSRI-induced apathy, one of which is the first reported case in a child with a non-OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) anxiety disorder. METHODS The sample included 43 participa...

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a widely prescribed class of antidepressants. Laboratory and epidemiologic evidence suggests that a prolactin-mediated mechanism secondary to increased serotonin levels at neuronal synapses could lead to a potentially carcinogenic effect of SSRIs. In this population-based case-control study, we evaluated the association between SSRI use and br...

Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor and commonly prescribed antidepressant in adults. Most patients overdosing with venlafaxine develop only mild symptoms. Severe toxicity is reported with the most common symptoms being CNS depression, serotonin toxicity, seizure, or cardiac conduction abnormalities. However, lactic acidosis is an uncommon adverse effect. Here,...

© 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc. 0883-9417/1801-0005$34.00/0 doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2008.02.002 I quences of interventions by health care professionals, often is discussed in relation to the nosocomial infections that one develops while hospitalized in a medical surgical unit. However, psychiatric treatment and providers are once again “on the hot seat” in relation to the monitoring of treatment w...

Question I have a patient who discontinued her selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in pregnancy against my advice owing to fears it might affect the baby. She eventually attempted suicide. How can we deal effectively with this situation? Answer The “cold turkey” discontinuation of needed antidepressants is a serious public health issue strengthened by fears and misinformation. It is very imp...