Woman develops bizarre symptoms on SSRI

Key Points:

• Approximately one in six adults use antidepressants, with over half taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like escitalopram (Lexapro), which have known benefits and side effects after nearly four decades of use.
• A new case study highlights an under-reported side effect of SSRIs: excessive yawning, illustrated by a 44-year-old woman from Rwanda who yawned six times every 15 minutes after starting Lexapro, despite no other neurological symptoms.
• The woman was treated for severe depression and PTSD, and although the yawning was unusual, doctors continued the SSRI treatment due to its effectiveness and the side effect’s tolerability, with yawning decreasing after two weeks.
• Excessive yawning can signal serious medical issues like sleep disorders, neurological conditions, or emergencies such as stroke, but yawning is also a recognized side effect of SSRIs, possibly linked to serotonin’s impact on dopamine and brain regions controlling alertness.
• The case suggests that excessive yawning from SSRIs may not require dosage reduction or discontinuation, challenging previous approaches and emphasizing the need for careful clinical evaluation.