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What Are The Side Effects Of Different Types Of Antidepressants?

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Posted on Wed, 2 Nov 2016
Question: Can you tell me if there is a difference between one antidepressant and another if they are both SSRIs in terms of possible side effects on stomach/gastritis?
I was asking a specialist (gastro) here about this but he is not able to answer specifically. I've been on Effexor venlafaxine for around 20 years with no side effects that were troubling. I tried to come off antidepressants around 2 years ago very slowly over a year. I was off altogether for a period but had a depression and anxiety relapse so I was recommended to try fluvoxamine. The first month was ok but for the last 6 months I've had pretty bad gastritis type symptoms ranging from my throat down to lower oesophagus and stomach. Can you tell me if there is a difference between one antidepressant and another if they are both SSRIs in terms of possible side effects on stomach/gastritis?
I was asking a specialist (gastro) here about this but he is not able to answer specifically. I've been on Effexor venlafaxine for around 20 years with no side effects that were troubling. I tried to come off antidepressants around 2 years ago very slowly over a year. I was off altogether for a period but had a depression and anxiety relapse so I was recommended to try fluvoxamine. The first month was ok but for the last 6 months I've had pretty bad gastritis type symptoms ranging from my throat down to lower oesophagus and stomach. Despite Mexican treatment. Could this possibly be down to the fluvoxamine?

Apologies that message was mixed up. This is how it should read:

Can you tell me if there is a difference between one antidepressant and another if they are both SSRIs in terms of possible side effects on stomach/gastritis?

I was asking a specialist (gastro) here about this but he is not able to answer specifically. I've been on Effexor venlafaxine for around 20 years with no side effects that were troubling. I tried to come off antidepressants around 2 years ago very slowly over a year. I was off altogether for a period but had a depression and anxiety relapse so I was recommended to try fluvoxamine. The first month was ok but for the last 6 months I've had pretty bad gastritis type symptoms ranging from my throat down to lower oesophagus and stomach, despite Nexium (PPI) Treatment. Could this bout of stomach problems be possibly down to the fluvoxamine?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes there aredifferences

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all yes there are differences among side effects between two different antidepressants and definitely the gastrointestinal side effects are more common with SSRI (Fluvoxamine) than SNRI (Venlafaxine).

Having said this every individual reacts differently and a person having side effect with one drug may not have with another antidepressant and vise versa. There is no guarantee that if you have side effects with fluvoxamine you will have with another SSRI.

Practically speaking I feel the current gastrointestinal side effects areunlikely to related with fluvoxamine. I have prescribed this medication for hundreds of patient and yet to see a single person who have not responded with addition of PPI.

To conclude there is difference between side effect of different antidepressants within group but I do not think current stomach problem related with fluvoxamine.

I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Different Types Of Antidepressants?

Brief Answer: Yes there aredifferences Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. First of all yes there are differences among side effects between two different antidepressants and definitely the gastrointestinal side effects are more common with SSRI (Fluvoxamine) than SNRI (Venlafaxine). Having said this every individual reacts differently and a person having side effect with one drug may not have with another antidepressant and vise versa. There is no guarantee that if you have side effects with fluvoxamine you will have with another SSRI. Practically speaking I feel the current gastrointestinal side effects areunlikely to related with fluvoxamine. I have prescribed this medication for hundreds of patient and yet to see a single person who have not responded with addition of PPI. To conclude there is difference between side effect of different antidepressants within group but I do not think current stomach problem related with fluvoxamine. I hope this helps you. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386 Thanks and regards