List of Hallucinogenic Antidepressant Medications

The brain chemical that antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) affect is the exact brain chemical that LSD, PCP and other psychedelic drugs mimic in order to create their hallucinogenic effects. SSRIs prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed into the brain, leaving behind excess serotonin, which allows the continuation of brain stimulation. This may produce depression, suicide, violence, psychosis and mania, cravings for alcohol and other drugs as well as hallucinations.

Prozac

Fluoxetine, marketed as Prozac, was the first SSRI drug marketed in the United States in 1987. Along with depression, it also may be used to treat panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and bulimia nervosa. It also has been found useful in the prevention of premature ejaculation. It is available as a capsule, pill, syrup and solution. It can cause hallucinations as part of serotonin syndrome, a condition produced when it is taken in conjunction with an MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor). Apart from hallucinations, other side effects may include restlessness, anxiety, chills, drowsiness, mood changes, rapid heartbeat, confusion and seizures.

Zoloft

Sertraline, sold as Zoloft, is another SSRI that can treat depression as well as OCD, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder. It is available as a pill, capsule or solution. Side effects may include hallucinations as part of serotonin syndrome when taken in combination with MAOIs, lowered libido, aggression, restlessness, nosebleeds, abdominal pain, paranoia, blurry vision, depression and coma.

Effexor

Effexor (generic name venlafaxine) may be prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and panic disorders. It also has been found to help reduce hot flashes. Effexor may produce such side effects as hallucinations, agitation, depression, confusion, difficulty breathing, irritability, low blood pressure, lethargy and indigestion.

Celexa

Citalopram, marketed as the antidepressant Celexa, is an SSRI medication available in solution or pill form. It can cause hallucinations in some depression patients. Apart from hallucinations, Celexa also may produce such side effects as anxiety, lowered libido, agitation, lethargy, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, emotionlessness, confusion, blurry vision and fever. It also can cause tenderness in a woman's breasts, pain when urinating, shakiness, nosebleeds, seizures and nosebleeds.

MAOIs

Nardil (generic name: phenelzine) is an MAOI used to treat depression. It and other MAOIs may cause hallucinations if they are taken with SSRIs. Other MAOIs that can cause hallucinations with SSRIs include Parnate (generic name: tranylcypromine) and Marplan (generic name: isocarboxazid), according to the National Institute of Mental Health.