U of I researcher challenges beliefs about antidepressant side effects
October 30, 2024
MOSCOW, Idaho 鈥� Colin Xu, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Communication at 果冻传媒麻豆社, has co-authored a new study that challenges popular beliefs about the progression of side effects in patients undergoing antidepressant treatment.鈥�
The study analyzed data from 2,833 patients treated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Citalopram, commonly known as Celexal. Contrary to the traditional belief that antidepressant side effects improve over time, the study finds that this perceived improvement in part may be due to patients with severe side effects discontinuing treatment early, rather than a universal reduction in side effect symptoms for all patients.鈥疶he study was published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica and conducted with Thomas T. Kim at Weill Cornell Medical College.
鈥淭here is a common belief in psychiatry that patients will simply 鈥榞et used to鈥� the side effects of antidepressants over time,鈥� Xu said. 鈥淔or instance, even the National Institutes of Health鈥檚 website states that: 鈥楾he side effects tend to go away with time.鈥� While this may be true for many patients, our study found that a nontrivial proportion of individuals experienced worsening side effects in the early weeks of treatment, which was then linked to a higher risk of discontinuing medication. Once these individuals with worsening side effects dropped out of the study, only the patients with improving side effects remained, thus masking the true trajectory of how side effects change over the course of SSRI treatment.鈥濃��
The implications of these findings are crucial for clinicians. Xu and Kim鈥檚 research emphasizes the need for close monitoring, particularly during the initial weeks of treatment when patients are most vulnerable to severe side effects. The researchers suggest that for patients showing worsening side effects clinicians should consider adjusting their treatment plan, such as exploring alternative medications or integrating psychotherapy instead of relying on the expectation that side effects will naturally subside.鈥�
鈥淭his has practical implications for psychiatrists and health care providers,鈥� Xu said. 鈥淐linicians should not assume that side effects will universally decrease over time. A proactive approach, especially in the critical early stages, could help reduce the number of patients who drop out of treatment altogether.鈥濃��
Their study offers new insights into improving patient care and tailoring treatment strategies for those experiencing severe side effects early on.鈥�
The full article, 鈥淣ot all types of depressed patients who persist with their antidepressant treatment improve in side effect complaints: A comparison of treatment completers and dropouts in the STAR*D trial,鈥� is available in .鈥�
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About the 果冻传媒麻豆社
The 果冻传媒麻豆社, home of the Vandals, is Idaho鈥檚 land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d鈥橝lene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.