Development and persistence of patient-reported visual problems associated with serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants

Author(s):  
David Healy ◽  
Dee Mangin ◽  
Jonathan Lochhead

BACKGROUND: The majority of antidepressants inhibit serotonin reuptake and include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and the serotonin reuptake inhibiting tricyclic antidepressants. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate and describe the range and impact of reported adverse visual effects linked to serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants. METHODS: Using data from a global database of patient spontaneous reports of drug adverse events, we systematically identified eligible reports of visual problems linked to the use of serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants. We analyzed these data using simple descriptive statistics to present the range and impact. RESULTS: We identified 124 reports of visual problems. Reports originate from 18 countries and involve 11 different drugs. The most commonly reported symptoms were vision blurred/visual acuity reduced (n = 79, 63.7%), night blindness (n = 22, 17.7%), vitreous floaters (n = 21, 16.9%), photophobia (n = 19, 15.3%), diplopia (n = 15, 12.1%), palinopsia (n = 13, 10.5%), visual field defect (n = 12, 9.7%), photopsia (n = 11, 8.9%) and visual snow syndrome (n = 11, 8.9%). 74 patients indicated that the side effect was bad enough to affect everyday activities, 62 had sought health care, and 50 indicated that their work had been affected. 49 patients reported an enduring vision problem after discontinuation of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants can produce a range of adverse effects on vision that in some cases can be long-lasting after discontinuation of the drug. Further efforts are needed to understand the mechanisms involved, the incidence among those prescribed these medications, and identify any risk or mitigation factors.

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 321-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
SM Dursun ◽  
JG Burke ◽  
F Nielsen ◽  
A Mlynik-Szmid ◽  
MA Reveley

SummaryWe report three cases in which toxic serotonin syndrome developed in relation to three different selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (ie, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine), and which all responded to the discontinuation of the SSRI and also to an additional propranolol treatment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Douglas Marinho da Silva ◽  
Ana Caroline Fonseca Silva ◽  
Lucas Pablo Almendro ◽  
Pedro da Cunha Dantas

Context: Seizures are the most frequent clinical emergency neurological manifestation, corresponding to 1-5% of the visits, except for trauma. Several conditions have the potential to reduce the seizure threshold, and the use of antidepressant drugs as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is one of those reported. The seizure triggering risk related to SSRIs use is low, being 0.1%, perceptibly lower than that of tricyclic antidepressants, with a 1% rate. Case report: Male patient, previously healthy, 23-year-old, was seen at the Emergency Room in Rio Branco after a generalized seizure lasting 3 minutes. Complementary exams, including computed tomography, were all normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the skull without atypical findings and electroencephalogram showed dysrhythmia by waves and discrete spicules. Patient reported using escitalopram (esc) 20mg for 3 months after 10mg progression dose, in use for 1 year, without clinical improvement. Due to the seizure event, medication management was switched for sertraline 50mg intake. After 2 months, the patient had a new generalized seizure, preceded by prolonged depersonalization. Complementary exams were normal, 10mg of esc was reestablished and the patient ceased with the seizures. Conclusions: The diagnostic hypothesis: patient’s seizure threshold is low, and seizures are triggered by SSRI higher doses adverse effect. Due to case rarity and SSRI efficacy and tolerance, it is suggested to encourage the discussion about administration safety of these drugs.


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