Relieving Constipation Caused by Antidepressants

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy They Cause ConstipationOther Causes of ConstipationSymptomsTreatmentWhen to Talk to Your DoctorPotential ComplicationsSigns of Fecal Impaction

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Why They Cause Constipation

Other Causes of Constipation

Symptoms

Treatment

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Potential Complications

Signs of Fecal Impaction

Close

Antidepressants can be an effective treatment for depression, but they can also have side effects. People who use medications like antidepressants may potentially become constipated.This side effect can be uncomfortable, but there are strategies you can try to find relief.

Learn more about why this side effect happens, what to watch for, and what you can do to relieve this side effect.

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Why Antidepressants Can Cause Constipation

Constipation is a common side effect oftricyclicantidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline) and Norpramin (desipramine). In addition to treatingdepression, tricyclic antidepressants may also be prescribed to treatanxietyor insomnia.

Tricyclic antidepressants block the action of theneurotransmitteracetylcholine.When this neurotransmitter is blocked, the muscular contractions which propel waste matter through the digestive tract are slowed, and the intestinal secretions which lubricate the passage of feces are drier, causing constipation.

Because of their gastrointestinal effects, tricyclic antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to help slow activity in the digestive tract. For example, they might be prescribed to help treat conditions such as diarrhea andirritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Although constipation is rare with newer medications like theselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), it is still possible that you may experience irregularity with some of these agents as well.

Other Possible Causes of Constipation

Lifestyle Factors

Medical Conditions

Medications

Constipation is a common side effect of many medications. Always read package inserts and talk to your doctor if you are concerned about symptoms or side effects that you are experiencing.

Constipation Symptoms

When a person has constipation, this means that their bowel movements have become more difficult and/or less frequent than what is normal. This can then lead to unpleasant symptoms such as:

Although what is considered normal varies, most people will have a bowel movement between three times a day to once or twice a week. If the time between bowel movements begins to stretch longer, however, then it can become very uncomfortable when they finally do occur.

Relieving Constipation

Do not take laxatives for longer than two weeks. The overuse of laxatives can make your symptoms worse.

If you are experiencing symptoms of constipation and self-care has not provided sufficient relief, talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing. They can assess your condition and help recommend treatments and remedies that can help.

If side effects are disruptive or distressing, your doctor may also consider changing the dosage of your medication or switching to a different type of antidepressant.

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Constipation can cause other problems, including:

In extreme cases, people may experience what is known asfecal impaction, in which a hard mass of stool remains stuck in the rectum and cannot be passed.

Fecal impaction can occur with long-term constipation and can potentially have some very serious complications, including tearing of the rectum or colon. If a person is experiencing fecal impaction after having long-term constipation, they may begin to have the following additional symptoms:

People who have had a fecal impaction will also need to undergo a bowel retraining program, possibly including stool softeners, fiber supplements, dietary changes, special exercises, and other techniques.

A Word From Verywell

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290Oliva V, Lippi M, Paci R, Del Fabro L, Delvecchio G, Brambilla P, De Ronchi D, Fanelli G, Serretti A.Gastrointestinal side effects associated with antidepressant treatments in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;109:110266. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110266National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.Obokhare I.Fecal impaction: a cause for concern?Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):53-8. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301760Additional ReadingPatel, Sonal M., and Anthony J. Lembo. “Chapter 12 - Constipation.“Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Eds. Mark Feldman et. al. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Sauders Elsevier, 2006.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290Oliva V, Lippi M, Paci R, Del Fabro L, Delvecchio G, Brambilla P, De Ronchi D, Fanelli G, Serretti A.Gastrointestinal side effects associated with antidepressant treatments in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;109:110266. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110266National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.Obokhare I.Fecal impaction: a cause for concern?Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):53-8. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301760Additional ReadingPatel, Sonal M., and Anthony J. Lembo. “Chapter 12 - Constipation.“Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Eds. Mark Feldman et. al. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Sauders Elsevier, 2006.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290Oliva V, Lippi M, Paci R, Del Fabro L, Delvecchio G, Brambilla P, De Ronchi D, Fanelli G, Serretti A.Gastrointestinal side effects associated with antidepressant treatments in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;109:110266. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110266National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.Obokhare I.Fecal impaction: a cause for concern?Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):53-8. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301760

Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context.2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290

Oliva V, Lippi M, Paci R, Del Fabro L, Delvecchio G, Brambilla P, De Ronchi D, Fanelli G, Serretti A.Gastrointestinal side effects associated with antidepressant treatments in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;109:110266. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110266

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.

Obokhare I.Fecal impaction: a cause for concern?Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):53-8. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301760

Patel, Sonal M., and Anthony J. Lembo. “Chapter 12 - Constipation.“Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Eds. Mark Feldman et. al. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Sauders Elsevier, 2006.

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