Antidepressants are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. When taken as directed, they’re a very effective and safe way to treat depression and other mental health conditions. When taken in higher-than-recommended doses or combined with other drugs, they can be life-threatening and even result in overdoses. In 2022, the number of deaths from antidepressant overdose was on par with deaths caused by heroin overdose. It’s important to know how antidepressants work, learn the risks associated with taking these medications, and make sure you know how to recognize the signs of antidepressant overdose. The answer to “Can you overdose on antidepressants?” is a big yes.
What Is Depression?
It’s normal to feel sad from time to time. Clinical depression is not just feeling a little down or sad. It’s a serious mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of hopelessness, fear, and lack of interest in activities that once brought you happiness. Depression affects your ability to function in your everyday life by interfering with your sleep patterns, ability to think clearly, memory, eating patterns, and motivation. Some people who suffer from clinical depression may even have suicidal thoughts. Depression is very common – almost 30% of adults will be diagnosed with depression at some point during their lives. Fortunately, depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. Antidepressants are very effective in treating depression, but they should always be taken as directed by your physician because they do have the potential for dangerous and even fatal overdose.
What Are Antidepressants?
Antidepressants are prescription medications commonly used to treat clinical depression. They can also be used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. There are several different kinds of antidepressants, but they all work by changing the way that neurotransmitters – specifically, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine – are used in your brain. This helps your brain regulate your mood. Antidepressants most often come in tablet form. Your dose will be determined by your physician. Usually, you’ll start out taking the lowest dose that your provider thinks will be effective for your symptoms.
How Do Antidepressants Work?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that relay messages between brain cells. These chemicals play a role in regulating your mood, behavior, sleep, and cognition. In general, antidepressants work by changing the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain, helping it better regulate your mood and behavior.
Types of Antidepressants
There are several different types of antidepressant medications. Your healthcare provider will help find the best medication for you.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by blocking the neurotransmitter serotonin from being reabsorbed by brain cells, making more serotonin available to your brain. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) block brain cells from reabsorbing serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in your brain. FDA-approved SNRIs prescribed to treat depression include Cymbalta, Pristiq, and Effexor XR.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were among the first antidepressants developed and are not as commonly used anymore because of the side effects they tend to produce. MAOIs increase the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain by blocking an enzyme that breaks down these neurotransmitters. Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate are brand name MAOIs used to treat depression
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are some of the earliest antidepressants. TCAs have largely fallen out of use due to their side effects, but they may be prescribed when other treatments for depression have stopped working. TCAs block the reuptake of neurotransmitters in the brain.
How Long Does It Take for an Antidepressant to Work?
You won’t feel the effect of an antidepressant immediately, so patience is a must. It usually takes between four and eight weeks for an antidepressant to work. You’ll work with your physician or healthcare provider to figure out how long you need to take your medication. Most people take an antidepressant for six to twelve months, but longer periods of treatment aren’t uncommon.
What Are the Side Effects of Antidepressants?
Most of the side effects of antidepressants are mild. These effects usually improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Different medications affect the body differently, but the most common side effects of antidepressants include:
- Drowsiness
- Weight gain
- Digestive issues such as nausea and diarrhea
- Headaches
- Lowered sex drive
How to Use Antidepressants Safely
When taken as directed by your provider, antidepressants are generally safe. Other medications, supplements, and substances can interact with antidepressants in a dangerous way, so be sure to tell your provider about everything else you’re taking, including illegal drugs and alcohol. Follow the instructions your provider gives you on how to take your medicine. Never increase your dose or suddenly stop taking your medication without talking to your physician.
Can You Overdose on Antidepressants?
Everyone who is taking antidepressants should be aware that it’s possible to overdose on an antidepressant medication. If you’ve ever wondered what happens if you double dose antidepressants, know that the effects can be quite serious. You can overdose if you take too much of your own or someone else’s medication. Overdose can also happen when you mix an antidepressant with another substance such as alcohol, illegal drugs, or even herbal supplements. Alcohol and antidepressants are a particularly dangerous combination because alcohol is a natural antidepressant.
What happens when you overdose on antidepressants? The symptoms of antidepressant overdose depend on how much medication you’ve taken, what kind of medication you’ve taken, and whether you’ve mixed your medication with alcohol or other drugs. It’s very important to be able to recognize all of the signs of an overdose. Symptoms may appear mild at first but can quickly become serious and life-threatening.
Mild initial overdose symptoms include:
- High blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Fever
- Blurry vision
- Severe symptoms can be fatal and include:
- Trouble breathing
- Dangerously low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Seizures
- Hallucinations and delirium
- Heart attack
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of anti-depressants, seek medical help immediately. Even if the symptoms you’re experiencing are mild, don’t hesitate to call 911 or go to the emergency room. Antidepressant overdose can be fatal so it’s critical to act quickly if you suspect an overdose.
What Antidepressants Have the Highest Risk of Overdose?
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have the highest risk of overdose and cause more fatal overdoses than other types of antidepressants. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are less toxic than TCAs but can cause dangerous seizures and cardiac conditions. MAOI overdose occurs most commonly when a large dose is taken at the same time as alcohol or other drugs. SSRIs are the least toxic antidepressants, but still carry the risk of fatal overdose when taken with alcohol or other drugs.
What Is Serotonin Syndrome?
Serotonin syndrome happens when the levels of serotonin in your brain are too high. It’s typically caused by taking an SSRI with another substance that also increases serotonin levels, such as another antidepressant medication or a natural antidepressant such as St. John’s wort. Some symptoms, such as nausea and nervousness, can be mild. But more severe symptoms can include seizures and loss of consciousness. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of serotonin syndrome, seek medical help right away.
What Other Factors Increase Your Risk of Overdosing on Antidepressants?
Your risk of overdosing on antidepressant increases if you:
- Double up doses or take more than the recommended dose
- Combine your medication with another antidepressant
- Take your medication with alcohol or illegal drugs
- Take your medication with certain supplements or over-the-counter drugs
- Have a history of substance abuse or misuse
How is Antidepressant Overdose Treated?
In the event of an antidepressant overdose, you should seek medical help right away. Emergency treatment for overdose may include medications to help absorb the excess medication, stomach pumping to remove excess medication and administration of other medications to help manage distressing and uncomfortable symptoms. If you’re showing signs of serotonin syndrome, your doctor will administer serotonin blockers along with IV fluids. Once your symptoms have begun to ease, you’ll likely be kept in the hospital for an observation period.
Help with Antidepressant Management
Antidepressant medications aren’t classified as controlled substances, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the potential for misuse. Antidepressant misuse disorder is possible, especially if you have a history of addiction. If antidepressant misuse is causing problems in your life, whether those problems are physical, mental, or social, there is help available.
You should never just stop taking your medication cold turkey. Doing so can cause withdrawal symptoms that can include rebound depression, anxiety, and uncomfortable physical effects. Most importantly, suddenly stopping your antidepressants can cause suicidal thoughts. You should always seek supervised medical help when detoxing from antidepressants.
Detox West Tennessee (A Brentwood Springs Detox Program) offers a safe, confidential, and comfortable environment where you can receive compassionate, professional help with antidepressant use. We know that each person is different, so we create a detox program that fits your unique needs. Contact our admissions team any time, day or night at 901-676-6626. We’re here to help.