It is hard to believe that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs, have only been around for 25 years.
As a class of drugs, SSRIs represent one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in the United States and elsewhere.
What are the more well-known SSRIs?
There are several SSRIs on the market right now as well as at least two drugs that have been discontinued. The following gives the drug name then the more commonly known trade name in parentheses:
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Dapoxetine (Priligy)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
Both indalpine (Upstene) and zimelidine (Zelmid) have been discontinued.
How do SSRIs work?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors do — or it is believed they do — precisely what the name says: they selectively block the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin, without interfering with the brain's other neurotransmitters. The net effect is an alteration in brain chemistry, with the hoped-for result that the patient taking them will feel his or her symptoms of anxiety or other mental health issues fade.
Although these drugs block the reabsorption of serotonin on entering the body, their effects are not immediately felt by the patient. Rather, the belief is that the drug must build up a bit in the bloodstream in order to be fully effective. This process can take anywhere from three to six weeks.
Most patients begin at a certain dose but may have that dosage raised or lowered depending on efficacy.
These are considered to be safe drugs, although not every patient will have the same experiences on them, and side effects vary considerably, from having no side effects at all to experiencing some nausea, insomnia, tremors or sexual dysfunction. Most side effects pass in time.
Often, in order for these drugs to be the most effective, they will be combined with therapy or other medications to achieve the desired result. Each treatment protocol will be tailored to the needs of the individual patient.
Click here to read an in-depth article about how the SSRI Prozac works.
