Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in short


Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used as first-line treatment for major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Off-label uses include premature ejaculation, binge eating disorder, fibromyalgia, and many others.

SSRIs work by selectively inhibiting the Serotonin presynaptic transporter called SERT, raising the amount of the neurotransmitter Serotonin in the synaptic cleft.

The SSRIs available on market are Fluoxetine (Prozac®), Sertraline (Zoloft®), Paroxetine (Daparox®), Fluvoxamine (Luvox®), Citalopram (Celexa®), Escitalopram (Cipralex®, Entact®) and Vilazodone (Viibryd®). They are available in oral forms. None of them exist in injection form. All of them can be taken with or without food except Vilazodone which should be taken with food.

Side effects of SSRIs include weight gain, sexual dysfunctions, headaches, prolonged QT interval, and increased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and young adults.

Contraindications of SSRIs include concomitant use of MAOI, linezolid, Setrons, and all those medications that can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Among the SSRIs, Paroxetine should be avoided during pregnancy.

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