By Dr. Mercola
In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert on the antidepressant Celexa,1 warning it can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of your heart, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythm and fatal heart attacks.
New research published in the journal BMJ2 has added further support for this warning after finding that Celexa and other antidepressants, including Lexapro and Elavil, may extend the electrical activity in your heart (known as a QT interval), potentially leading to abnormal heart rhythms, which in turn can lead to dizziness, fainting or even sudden death.
Heart Rhythms Affected in Nearly One in Five Patients
The new study, which involved data from more than 38,000 adults, found that patients taking Celexa or certain other antidepressants called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had a significantly longer QT interval, which is an indicator of abnormal heart rhythms. The disturbance increased with greater doses of the drugs.
In all, nearly one in five patients taking these drugs had longer QT intervals. In an updated drug safety communication from the FDA, it’s noted that Celexa “use at any dose is discouraged in patients with certain conditions because of the risk of QT prolongation.” The FDA continued:3
“Changes in the electrical activity of the heart (specifically, prolongation of the QT interval of the electrocardiogram [ECG]) can lead to a risk of an abnormal heart rhythm called Torsade de Pointes, which can be fatal.
Patients at particular risk for developing prolongation of the QT interval include those with underlying heart conditions and those who are predisposed to having low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood.
...Citalopram [Celexa] is not recommended for use at doses greater than 40 mg per day because such doses cause too large an effect on the QT interval and confer no additional benefit... Seek immediate care if you experience an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting while taking citalopram.”
Antidepressants Clearly Linked to Heart Disease, Stroke, and Other Serious Risks
The above-referenced study is only the latest to highlight the very real heart risks posed when you take antidepressant drugs. For instance, antidepressant use has been linked to thicker arteries, which could contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke.4
This is in addition to the already heightened risk for heart disease that accompanies depression. This was true both for SSRIs and antidepressants that affect other brain chemicals, so while the researchers speculated that the vascular changes may be due to changes in serotonin, the underlying cause is still undetermined.
Newer antidepressants also raise your risk of bleeding and stroke,5 and another large study of post-menopausal women found that those taking tricyclic antidepressants or SSRIs were 45 percent more likely to suffer a fatal stroke.6 The research also found that overall death rates were 32 percent higher in women on the drugs. Aside from potentially lethal cardiac events, other serious side effects include:
· Suicidal thoughts and feelings and violent behavior
· Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
· Problems with your immune system: SSRIs cause serotonin to remain in your nerve junctions longer, interfering with immune cell signaling and T cell growth.7
· Problems during pregnancy: Research shows taking SSRIs during pregnancy may increase the risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, fetal death, infant death, neonatal seizures, and the need for mechanical ventilation.8
· Brittle bones: Research suggests taking an SSRI may double your risk of bone fractures.9 This is because serotonin is also involved in the physiology of bone. If you alter serotonin levels with a drug, it can result in low bone density, boosting fracture risk.
In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert on the antidepressant Celexa,1 warning it can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of your heart, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythm and fatal heart attacks.
New research published in the journal BMJ2 has added further support for this warning after finding that Celexa and other antidepressants, including Lexapro and Elavil, may extend the electrical activity in your heart (known as a QT interval), potentially leading to abnormal heart rhythms, which in turn can lead to dizziness, fainting or even sudden death.
Heart Rhythms Affected in Nearly One in Five Patients
The new study, which involved data from more than 38,000 adults, found that patients taking Celexa or certain other antidepressants called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had a significantly longer QT interval, which is an indicator of abnormal heart rhythms. The disturbance increased with greater doses of the drugs.
In all, nearly one in five patients taking these drugs had longer QT intervals. In an updated drug safety communication from the FDA, it’s noted that Celexa “use at any dose is discouraged in patients with certain conditions because of the risk of QT prolongation.” The FDA continued:3
“Changes in the electrical activity of the heart (specifically, prolongation of the QT interval of the electrocardiogram [ECG]) can lead to a risk of an abnormal heart rhythm called Torsade de Pointes, which can be fatal.
Patients at particular risk for developing prolongation of the QT interval include those with underlying heart conditions and those who are predisposed to having low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood.
...Citalopram [Celexa] is not recommended for use at doses greater than 40 mg per day because such doses cause too large an effect on the QT interval and confer no additional benefit... Seek immediate care if you experience an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting while taking citalopram.”
Antidepressants Clearly Linked to Heart Disease, Stroke, and Other Serious Risks
The above-referenced study is only the latest to highlight the very real heart risks posed when you take antidepressant drugs. For instance, antidepressant use has been linked to thicker arteries, which could contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke.4
This is in addition to the already heightened risk for heart disease that accompanies depression. This was true both for SSRIs and antidepressants that affect other brain chemicals, so while the researchers speculated that the vascular changes may be due to changes in serotonin, the underlying cause is still undetermined.
Newer antidepressants also raise your risk of bleeding and stroke,5 and another large study of post-menopausal women found that those taking tricyclic antidepressants or SSRIs were 45 percent more likely to suffer a fatal stroke.6 The research also found that overall death rates were 32 percent higher in women on the drugs. Aside from potentially lethal cardiac events, other serious side effects include:
· Suicidal thoughts and feelings and violent behavior
· Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
· Problems with your immune system: SSRIs cause serotonin to remain in your nerve junctions longer, interfering with immune cell signaling and T cell growth.7
· Problems during pregnancy: Research shows taking SSRIs during pregnancy may increase the risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, fetal death, infant death, neonatal seizures, and the need for mechanical ventilation.8
· Brittle bones: Research suggests taking an SSRI may double your risk of bone fractures.9 This is because serotonin is also involved in the physiology of bone. If you alter serotonin levels with a drug, it can result in low bone density, boosting fracture risk.