SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. But they can also have side effects like constipation (the internet says SSRIs block acetylcholine?), and you can’t take NSAIDs too because of a risk of stomach bleeding. How do SSRIs do those things if they are focused on serotonin? Does acetylcholine use the same receptors as serotonin? I’m also interested in how they cause other side effects.
In: Biology
Constipation since serotonine is involved intenstinal motility. Most of the serotonine in our bodies is used in the intestines.
Platelets are cell fragments that circulate the blood and is important for blood clotting. A blod clot is made of activated platelets and a sticky gluey protein called fibrin holding the platelets together.
SSRIs increase bleeding risk by inhibiting serotonin uptake in platelets. The platelets secrete serotonine when activated and this causes further platelets to be activated. Interfering with increase bleeding risk.
NSAIDs also inhibits platelet activation but through another mechanism (inhibiting tromboxane A2). Therefore these drugs should not be used together.
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