SSRIs

SSRIs or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a class of drugs that are typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and other psychological conditions.

Mechanism of action

SSRIs work by increasing the extracellular level of the neurotransmitter serotonin by limiting its reabsorption into the presynaptic cell. This increases the level of serotonin in the synaptic cleft available to bind to the postsynaptic receptor. They have varying degrees of selectivity for the other monoamine transporters, with pure SSRIs having only weak affinity for the norepinephrine and dopamine transporters.

Medical uses

SSRIs are primarily classified as antidepressants. They are particularly effective in treating mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, chronic pain and, in some cases, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They have also been found to be effective in treating premature ejaculation problems and are used in the treatment of some hormone-mediated disorders like hot flashes and dysmenorrhea.

Side effects

Common side effects of SSRIs include sexual dysfunction, loss of sexual desire, nausea, and weight gain. Rare but serious side effects include serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive levels of serotonin in the brain.

See also

• Antidepressant
• Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

References

SSRIs Resources
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