Should i take ssri or snri

SSRIs should be used with caution as a treatment for bipolar disorder as they may exacerbate rapid mood cycling. A warning is still included in the package inserts for all antidepressants in common use, discussing the risk of suicidal thoughts, hostility, and agitation in children, teens, and young adults. Anyone on antidepressants, particularly those under age 25, should be mindful of the potential for suicidal thoughts and actions, and seek help immediately if they notice signs or experience such thoughts.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call immediately or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

You should not stop taking your medication abruptly or miss several doses. Doing so can cause unpleasant side effects. It is important that you discuss any changes, including stopping medication use, with your healthcare provider.

If you would like to stop taking your medication or change to a different one, always do so under the guidance of a healthcare provider who can help you wean off them safely. SSRIs are often prescribed as the first option, but both types of medications are effective for treating anxiety. Which one works best depends largely on the individual. Some may experience significant side effects from a medication, while others may experience none from the same one. The best thing you can do is work with your healthcare provider to find the best balance between effectiveness and side effects.

If the brain has too low a concentration of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, the person can experience symptoms of depression.

Reuptake inhibitors prevent these neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed, which increases their concentration and availability. Antidepressants are not one size fits all. If you are experiencing symptoms that may benefit from reuptake inhibitors, meet with your healthcare provider to discuss options. Finding the right medication and the right dose can take time, and sometimes there is a bit of trial and error. Keep working with your healthcare provider until you find the best fit for you. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Nutt DJ. Relationship of neurotransmitters to the symptoms of major depressive disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. National Health Service. Overview - SSRI antidepressants. Updated October 2, Efficacy and safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and placebo for common psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

JAMA Psychiatry. Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison. Innov Clin Neurosci. American Academy of Family Physicians. How to safely take antidepressants. Updated April 22, Dosage - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs.

Cleveland Clinic. Depression medications. Updated May 24, Cautions - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs. Safety and efficacy of adjunctive second-generation antidepressant therapy with a mood stabiliser or an atypical antipsychotic in acute bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials.

The Lancet Psychiatry. Antidepressants and suicide risk: a comprehensive overview. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

Has your physician suggested any of the following medications? These are the most commonly prescribed SNRI medications for anxiety:. They are called SNRIs because they increase both serotonin and norepinephrine. The reason norepinephrine is thought to be important is because it is known to be involved in the stress response, which forms the basis of anxiety reactions.

Toward the end of his interview with Anxiety. Bruce McEwen addresses how stress can impact an individual. Answer a few questions to find out more. SNRIs increase levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine. A variety of neural systems use norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter, and both the amygdala and the hippocampus are affected.

Research has also shown that norepinephrine has influences on the thalamus and prefrontal areas of the cortex. Anxiety reduction occurs after a week or 10 days. When considering how a medication works, keep in mind that a drug that's very good at reducing anxiety isn't necessarily changing the underlying processes that create anxiety in the brain.

Just because a medication relieves a problem doesn't mean it corrects the cause of the problem. Aspirin provides a helpful analogy. As a result, you experience a toothache and a low-grade fever. If you take aspirin and both the toothache and fever disappear, it would not be correct to assume that your difficulties were due to a shortage of aspirin in your system. After a week or so, the higher levels of norepinephrine and serotonin may stimulate neurons to remodel themselves and their circuits in a variety of ways that promote increased flexibility.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons or brain cells. There are different types of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

SSRIs work by regulating the level of serotonin in the brain. As the name suggests, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors exert their actions by selectively blocking the reuptake of serotonin.

Simply put, SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain. They work by blocking the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. In other words, SNRIs increase both serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain.

As noted above, SSRIs and SNRIs are drugs that are frequently used to treat depression and anxiety , including panic disorder, social phobia, and others.

SNRIs may be recommended if you have chronic pain, low energy levels, sleep difficulties, poor concentration, or inability to focus. However, SNRIs can cause side effects such as panic attacks and high blood pressure. Therefore, they may not be suitable for people with a history of heart problems or panic disorders.

Your doctor will help you decide the best treatment options and specific medication for your mental health condition. Both classes of antidepressants , selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs , produce similar side effects. However, SSRIs are more commonly prescribed for treating depression because they are less likely to cause severe side effects.

Common side effects of both types of drugs include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, insomnia, nausea, and reduced sexual desire.