SSRI and Narcotics

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There are many significant facts you should know about both SSRI and narcotics. It’s important to know exactly what an SSRI is, and what classifies as a narcotic. Are narcotics safe to take with an SSRI? These are all important questions to consider if you’re taking an SSRI or a narcotic.

What is an SSRI?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are, basically, antidepressants. SSRIs are considered to be the current standard of drug treatment for depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. Sometimes, SSRIs are used to treat premature ejaculation problems.

Supposedly, one of the causes of depression is not enough serotonin, a chemical used in the brain to transmit signals between neurons. SSRIs are said to work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin in your system.

Here is a list of common SSRIs, with their trade names in parentheses:

1. citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Emocal, Sepram, Seropram)

2. escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro, Cipralex, Esertia)

3. fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Seromex, Seronil, Sarafem, Fluctin)

4. fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox, Faverin)

5. paraxetine (Paxi, Seroxat, Aropax, Deroxat, Rexetin, Xetanor, Paroxat)

6. sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Serlain)

7. dapoxetine (no trade name)

What are Narcotics?

In a legal context, narcotics refers to opium, opium derived drugs, and any synthetic substitutes. However, most medical professionals prefer the more precise term opioid or opiate, which refers to natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic substances that behave like morphine, the primary active ingredient of the natural opium poppy.

Examples:

1. Morphine

2. Codeine

3. Heroin

4. Methadone

5. Oxycodone

How do they work? Well, opiates depress the nerve transmissions that signal pain, hence why opiates are such effective pain killers. Opiates can also slow down signals that control coughing, breathing, and intestinal motility. Both morphine and codeine are used as pain killers, and codeine is also used in cough medicine.

Despite their use, opiates can be extremely addictive. You can easily build up a tolerance and/or dependence. Although heroin is even more effective as a painkiller than morphine and codeine, it is so addictive that its use is illegal.

Opiates/Narcotics and Depression

Before SSRI's, Opiates were commonly used as antidepressants until the mid-1950s. It was then discovered that they are exceedingly addictive. Today, treating depression with opiates is usually not considered.

However, studies have shown that some opiates can be beneficial to some depression sufferers. In 1995, Harvard Medical School conducted a clinical trial that demonstrated that some patients could be treated with an opiate called Buprenorphine.

The Journal of European Neuropsychopharmacology published a follow-up study in 2006 to the 1995 Harvard experiment. The publication indicated that the original Harvard findings still applied; patients who were give Buprenorphine and showed significant improvement.

Although Buprenorphine has been proven to relieve symptoms of depression for some, re-acceptance of this has been hampered by governmental prohibition efforts. There is also a problem of lack of alternatives and high rates of addiction. Buprenorphine is generally preferred as the first-line opiate in depression treatment, as managing the tolerance buildup of other opiates can be complicated.

Are Narcotics Safe to Take with SSRI’s?

You should always tell your doctor about any medication you’re currently taking before beginning a new medication. It’s always crucial to inform your doctor of any addictions or problems you may be having with any specific medication, or if you use drugs or alcohol. This will help rule out any future problems.

Some opiate and antidepressant combinations can reduce or even completely eliminate the effect of one another. As mentioned, please make sure to inform your doctor of any medications you’re currently taking.

SSRI antidepressants could interfere with the metabolism of opiates, but generally are safe to take together; it is not uncommon for a medical professional to write a prescription for a narcotic for pain relief, and an SSRI for depression.

Opiate prescriptions such as Ultram or Ultracet can, in rare cases, produce seizures when taken in conjunction with an SSRI or tricyclic antidepressant.

It is also said that older women taking narcotics and antidepressants have an increased risk of sustaining a non-spinal fracture due to the likelihood of falling.

Read up on the different SSRI side effects and speak with your Dr before taking anything. Do your research into some of the various SSRI alternatives.