Anti-Depressant Withdrawal

Anti-depressant medications were developed around 50 years ago to treat the symptoms of clinical depression. Today they are also prescribed for a variety of conditions, including eating disorders, anxiety, and even to help people quit smoking. While these medications have been beneficial to many people, they also have certain risks and side effects that can be dangerous.

One kind of risk is the possibility of withdrawal symptoms when dosages are missed. SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the most common variety of anti-depressant medication. Their withdrawal effects can range from uncomfortable to dangerous. Doctors have recommended that anyone who wants to quit using an SSRI decrease his or her dosage slowly with medical supervision.

If your doctor failed to warn you about SSRI withdrawal effects, or failed to properly supervise your cessation of an SSRI, you may have been the victim of medical malpractice. To discuss your rights with an experienced Charleston anti-depressant withdrawal attorney, call the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.

Symptoms of SSRI Withdrawal

When a person stops taking an anti-depressant, withdrawal symptoms usually begin to occur within a few days, depending on the drug. You may want to speak with a Charleston SSRI discontinuation injury lawyer if you have experienced the following symptoms severely enough to interfere with your daily life:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Numbness or tingling sensations in arms and legs
• Increased agitation and/or aggression
• Insomnia
• Muscle spasms or Parkinsonism
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Nausea or inability to eat

The intensity and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the specific drug, how long the drug was taken, and individual factors affecting each patient.

Contact Us

If your doctor failed to prepare you for SSRI withdrawal or help you with this difficult process, you could be eligible to receive legal compensation. To learn more, contact the Charleston SSRI withdrawal injury lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm today at 843-720-2800.