Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Nausea or gastrointestinal upset is indeed a well-documented common side effect of SSRIs. These medications work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain by inhibiting its reuptake in neurons. This increase in serotonin can also affect the gastrointestinal system since serotonin is widely distributed in the gut and plays a role in regulating digestive processes. As a result, many patients experience symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or overall gastrointestinal distress when they first start taking these medications or when their dose is increased.

While other side effects, such as headaches, dry mouth, and insomnia, can also occur with SSRIs, nausea is particularly prevalent and often reported during the initial treatment phase, making it a hallmark side effect of this class of drugs. Understanding this relationship between SSRIs and gastrointestinal symptoms is crucial for healthcare professionals when monitoring and counseling patients during treatment.