Posted by djmmm on October 14, 2002, at 16:35:28
In reply to Glaxo Gets OK for Ads Claiming Paxil Not Addictive, posted by Rick on October 12, 2002, at 20:30:11
There is a clear distinction between witdraw, associated with an addiction, and discontinuation effects associated with chronic use of a drug.
SSRIs are not addictive, however, abrupt discontinuation after chronic use causes specific effects...theoretically due to the rapid change in the quantity of serotonin at the reuptake pumps, not the drug (ssri) itself. Removing a SSRi allows the pump to function normally, and due to the previously constant presense of serotonin in the synapse, certain receptors have downregulated, causing (over time)less seroton in the synapse. Now that the pumps are functioning normally, the lower concentration of serotonin is taken back up in to pumps causing the "withdraw" we associate with the drug itself.
The same discontinuation syndrome is seen in some MDMA (ecstasy) users days after taking the drug. Serotonin levels are dramatically decreased days after MDMA use
SSRIs change serotonin neurons, this is how (or at least partially) they work. Naturally, there are going to be effects when these meds are stopped.
poster:djmmm
thread:123399
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021012/msgs/123645.html