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SSRI (Celexa) and UC

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/19/2012 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
I was browsing for some information tonight and just discovered that SSRI's can cause gastrointestinal bleeding? In fact, colitis is listed as one of the side effects of Celexa (a drug that I take). It is listed as a rare side-effect though.

Does anybody know any other information about this? I couldn't find out additional information about what type of colitis, how severe the colitis might be, how long the colitis would take to set in when starting the drug, etc.

I did a search of the forum and found a couple of threads about people starting Celexa and possibly making their UC a bit worse...but just wondered if anyone else had more info.
Posted 8/19/2012 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I started Celexa about 6 weeks ago along with Xanax as needed for General Anxiety. I haven't noticed any GI related side effects. My GI suggested I should go on an SSRI so after meeting with my primary doctor he agreed and suggested Celexa.
Posted 8/19/2012 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
I took Celexa for 4 years after my jpouch surgery. I never had bleeding as a side effect.

Sue
Posted 8/19/2012 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
It's very possible.

I posted some time ago a query about Cymbalta having side effects of UC, rare too, but nevertheless a possibility (of course not one that the doctors disclose).

Here's the thread: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2149720

Let us know what you find out.

Posted 8/20/2012 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the links to the threads. Unfortunately I did not find out any additional outside information to share.
Posted 8/20/2012 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
 

My pleasure.

What do you think is the connection?

Posted 8/20/2012 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the "connection" was merely the fact that colitis is listed as a possible side effect of celexa. I had never heard that before. general GI bleeding is also listed as a side effect, but it generally refers to upper GI bleeding. I started Celexa about 1.5 years before I was dx'ed with UC so I was just looking at potential influences/ causes. Both side effects are listed as very rare though.

I think I read somewhere that serotonin had some role to play in the intestines, but I wasn't paying too much attention.
Posted 8/20/2012 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
There has been some evidence that Wellbutrin can HELP UC--it is a TNF inhibitor like Remicade, Humira. Maybe you could switch and see what happens. There have even been studies on it but nothing definitive yet.
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