Schizophrenia and
depression commonly occur together, and
antidepressants may be prescribed in combination with antipsychotics to treat
both conditions. Antidepressant medicines affect brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) and can provide relief from
symptoms of depression and
anxiety. Combining antidepressants with antipsychotic
medicines has been found to work well in treating the negative symptoms (such
as lack of emotion or motivation) of schizophrenia.
Antidepressants that may be used to treat depression that occurs with
schizophrenia include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
such as sertraline (Zoloft) or citalopram (Celexa).
- Tricyclic
antidepressants, such as nortriptyline hydrochloride (for example,
Pamelor).
Antidepressants are usually started at low doses and gradually
increased until symptoms get better. It may take several weeks for you to feel
relief from symptoms of sadness or loss of interest in things that you once
enjoyed.
Side effects of SSRIs can include:
- Nausea, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
- Anxiety or drowsiness.
- Sleep problems.
- Loss of sexual desire or ability.
- Headaches.
Side effects of tricyclics include:
- Stomach upset and other problems, such as
constipation.
- Dry mouth, blurred vision, and drowsiness.
- Lowered blood pressure.
- Weight gain.
- Tremors and sweating.
- Inability to urinate (urinary
retention).
- Loss of sexual desire or ability.
- Confusion or delirium in older adults.
Not everyone experiences side effects from these medicines, and
antidepressants can be very helpful in treating depression in someone with
schizophrenia.
FDA Advisory. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has issued an
advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of
suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines.
Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for
warning signs of suicide. This is especially important
at the beginning of treatment or when the doses are changed.
For more information on antidepressants, see Drug Reference. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
