Are SSRIs Safe To Take With Chlorella Supplements?

Answer

Thanks for your question! Chlorella is a common ingredient used in dietary supplements, mainly for its nutritive value as it contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, several different vitamins (e.g., vitamin B6 and B12, iron, beta-carotene, and ascorbic acid), minerals and antioxidants.

It also has other purported health benefits and has been used for a range of conditions, including depression (some studies suggest chlorella may improve the antioxidant imbalance seen in depression) and fibromyalgia, but more evidence is needed to determine whether or not it has positive benefits.

In terms of drug interactions, most are likely not clinically significant but it does have theoretical interactions with a few different types of drugs, such as:

• Drugs that make you more sensitive to sunlight (i.e., photosensitizing drugs)
• Anticoagulants, like warfarin

Chlorella With SSRIs

You specifically asked about Paxil (paroxetine), which is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

Although seemingly rare, all SSRIs have been associated with causing photosensitivity, and there have been case reports of individuals having skin reactions to prolonged sun exposure while taking them.

One such study reported the following:

Although these drugs [SSRIs] are widely prescribed, such photosensitization is rare. Nevertheless, we consider that clinicians and patients should be aware of the risk of photosensitization and these drugs should be stopped before phototherapy or prolonged sun exposure.

Chlorella has also been reported as causing photosensitivity (i.e., sun sensitivity), but evidence has been limited to just a few case reports (such as reported in a study published in the International Journal of Dermatology).

So, theoretically, taking chlorella with other drugs that cause photosensitivity could further increase the risk of it occurring. Again, this would include all SSRIs, such as:

• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Celexa (citalopram)

It must be noted that the overall risk of this interaction occurring is thought to be quite low, as photosensitivity has been reported with chlorella and SSRIs only rarely. Nevertheless, it is good to know about.

I mentioned that chlorella, as a dietary supplement, has sometimes been used for its purported antidepressant effects, which I can see being a concern if you already take an SSRI.

However, the purported antidepressant effect from chlorella isn't thought to be due to any changes in brain neurotransmitters, but rather, its antioxidant effects. As far as we know, there is no interaction between SSRIs and chlorella in regard to changes in serotonin and there doesn't appear to be any risk with serotonin syndrome (a common drug-interaction concern with antidepressants).

Final Words

I hope this provided the information you were looking for! Reach back out anytime.