Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. Anything that you consume, including antidepressants, will pass through your liver at some point. Considering the huge side-effect profile of antidepressants, one might wonder what the safest antidepressant in liver health would be.
This article explores some of the information available on antidepressants and how they affect the liver.
Antidepressants in Liver Health – Safe or Not?
Research has known for some time that antidepressants aren’t great for your liver. Not only can they cause liver complications on their own, they can be disastrous for people who are already struggling with liver problems.
However, the way that this happens depends on the type of antidepressants that you use. For example, Risperidone and Seroquel – two drugs that are both used as antipsychotics and antidepressants – can cause liver damage. They do this by preventing the bile produced in the liver from being passed on to the gallbladder, which can cause a condition known as cholestasis.
Research on other types of antidepressants – including the more commonly-prescribed SSRI class of drugs – is different. These drugs can still cause liver problems, but they do so in a different way.
Regardless, the current research shows that pretty much all antidepressants can be toxic for your liver. This is especially true for older people and those who already have liver problems.
Unfortunately, research also reveals that liver damage can be unpredictable. There isn’t a set response-time for antidepressant users to develop liver problems.
To make matters worse, antidepressants can cause fatal liver problems. There have been cases of complete liver failure caused by antidepressants.
Most Dangerous and Safest Antidepressant in Liver
Some antidepressants are worse for others. These are the most dangerous antidepressants for people with liver problems.
- Iproniazid
- Nefazodone
- Phenelzine
- Imipramine
- Amitriptyline
- Duloxetine
- Bupropion
- Trazodone
- Tianeptine
- Agomelatine
Many of these are first-generation antidepressants. Second-generation antidepressants show less side effects. As such, many of the least-dangerous antidepressants for liver health are in this class. Some of the safest antidepressants are:
- Citalopram
- Escitalopram
- Paroxetine
- Fluvoxamine
Antidepressants & Liver Disease
People who already struggle with liver problems may want to avoid taking antidepressants. These drugs can worsen these problems. This is especially true for people with conditions like hepatitis C.
Antidepressants elevate levels of serum ALT. This is a chemical that reflects potential liver damage. This happens in about 0.5-3% of antidepressant users. If you already have liver problems then this can cause serious issues.
Research also reveals that antidepressant-related liver problems can be permanent. Rather than risk damaging your liver permanently, you may want to check with your doctor for alternative treatments. In mild-to-moderate depression, exercise and a healthy diet can be just as effective.
To Wrap It Up
Antidepressants can cause liver problems. In serious cases, they can cause acute liver failure. These problems are more of a risk for people who already have liver problems.
If you find you need to go off of your antidepressant, there are a number of remedies that can help you with antidepressant withdrawal. Many of these remedies can also actually help with depression. If you’re unsure of how to move forward, consider learning how you can get your antidepressants online.
