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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Possible side effects include: NauseaDiarrheaAnxietyHeadache The lack of a constipating effect has been thought to make SSRIs a better choice for those with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C). However, the 2021 ACG guidelines say SSRIs are ineffective. SSRIs may also result in prolonged side effects of sexual difficulties (loss of sex drive or difficulty achieving orgasm) and weight gain. People react differently to medications and you may tolerate one type of SSRI better than another. Examples of commonly prescribed SSRIs include: Celexa (citalopram)Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate)Prozac (fluoxetine)Paxil (paroxetine)Zoloft (sertraline) Serotinin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors SNRIs may help relieve pain and discomfort associated with IBS. The most common side effect is nausea, and taking the medication with food may help reduce this side effect. Examples of SNRIs used In IBS: Cymbalta (duloxetine)Effexor (venlafaxine)Savella (milnacipran) SNRIs are less constipating than TCAs, and they are often used to relieve symptoms for people who have IBS-C.Stopping antidepressants abruptly can cause serious side effects. If you are not getting the relief you expected, or if your side effects are bothering you, talk with your doctor about making a plan to gradually stop the medication. 5-HT3 for Depression Researchers have looked at medications that target specific serotonin receptors, or 5-HT3 receptors. Receptors receive chemical messages from neurotransmitters like serotonin. The controversial IBS medication Lotronex (alosetron hydrochloride) is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. It blocks potentially diarrhea-inducing serotonin in the gut. Lotronex has a risk of serious side effects such as severe constipation and the risk of ischemic colitis (injury to the colon from lack of blood flow). The FDA has imposed strict limits for prescribing it. There is one 5-HT3 antidepressant, Remeron (mirtazapine). Data is limited as to the effectiveness of Remeron for IBS and therefore it may be less commonly prescribed. Summary Antidepressants may be prescribed for IBS because of their effects on the digestive system. Some may help improve muscle contractions in the digestive system, ease sensitivity to pain, and regulate digestion speed. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been shown to ease pain and slow the movement of food through the digestive system. The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommends their use for IBS-D. An SSRI or SSNI may be prescribed to improve constipation if you have IBS-C, but they aren't recommended by the ACG. Researchers are also looking at antidepressant drugs like Remeron that block the serotonin (5-HT3) receptor, but more data is needed. A Word From Verywell Living with IBS can be challenging, and the symptoms can be unpredictable. Antidepressants, which are not specifically designed to treat IBS, can help ease the symptoms due to their effects on neurotransmitters that regulate the digestive system. If you also have a mood disorder that requires medication, you might experience relief with antidepressants used for treating your IBS, but the doses that are used for one condition are not always the same as doses used for the other. Discuss your mood with your doctor so that any mood disorder you are experiencing can also receive the attention it deserves.Verywell Health uses only
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