SSRI Overdose: Symptoms, Risks, and What to Do

When you take too much of an SSRI, a class of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, these drugs include fluoxetine, sertraline, and escitalopram—commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, and OCD. An SSRI overdose, happens when someone takes more than the prescribed amount, either accidentally or intentionally. This isn’t just about feeling sick—it can trigger a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome, a dangerous buildup of serotonin that affects the nervous system.

SSRI overdose doesn’t always mean swallowing a whole bottle. It can happen when someone doubles up on doses, mixes SSRIs with other drugs like tramadol or MDMA, or takes them with certain herbal supplements like St. John’s wort. The risk goes up if you already have liver or kidney problems, or if you’re older. Symptoms don’t always show up right away—they can start within hours and get worse fast. Think muscle stiffness, high fever, rapid heartbeat, confusion, or even seizures. If you or someone else shows these signs after taking an SSRI, don’t wait. Call emergency services. Hospitals treat this with benzodiazepines to calm the nervous system, fluids, and sometimes medications to block serotonin. It’s not something you can sleep off.

What makes SSRIs tricky is that they’re often seen as safe—until they’re not. Many people don’t realize that even a small extra dose can push them over the edge, especially when combined with other meds. The same goes for people switching antidepressants; if they don’t wait long enough between stopping one and starting another, serotonin can build up dangerously. This is why your doctor asks about every pill you take, even over-the-counter ones. If you’ve ever felt unusually jittery, sweaty, or mentally foggy after changing your dose, that’s a red flag. Don’t ignore it. And if you’re caring for someone on SSRIs—watch for changes in behavior, movement, or body temperature. These aren’t side effects you can brush off.

The posts below cover real-world cases, drug interactions, and safety tips you won’t find in brochures. You’ll find how other medications like tramadol or migraine drugs can turn a normal dose into a crisis. You’ll see how serotonin syndrome is misdiagnosed as the flu or a panic attack. And you’ll learn what to keep in your medicine cabinet—and what to throw away—when managing antidepressants safely. This isn’t theory. It’s what happens when people don’t know the risks until it’s too late.