Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs,
a popular antidepressant type, can help you overcome depression.
Discover how SSRIs boost mood and what side effects they may cause.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly
prescribed antidepressants. They can ease symptoms of moderate to severe
depression, are relatively safe and generally cause fewer side effects
than other types of antidepressants do.
How SSRIs work
SSRIs ease depression by affecting naturally occurring chemical
messengers (neurotransmitters), which are used to communicate between
brain cells. SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the
neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Changing the balance of
serotonin seems to help brain cells send and receive chemical messages,
which in turn boosts mood.
Most antidepressants work by changing the levels of one or more of these
neurotransmitters. SSRIs are called selective because they seem to
primarily affect serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.
SSRIs approved to treat depression
SSRIs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat
depression, with their generic names followed by brand names in
parentheses, include:
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paxil CR is an SSRI that provides controlled release of the medication
throughout the day or for a week at a time with a single dose.
SSRIs also may be used to treat conditions other than depression, such as anxiety disorders.
Side effects and cautions
All SSRIs work in a similar way and generally cause similar side
effects. However, each SSRI has a different chemical makeup, so one may
affect you a little differently than another. Most side effects may go
away after the first few weeks of treatment, but talk to your doctor if
any side effects are too troublesome for you.
Side effects of SSRIs may include, among others:
- Nausea
- Nervousness, agitation or restlessness
- Dizziness
- Reduced sexual desire or difficulty reaching orgasm or inability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Weight gain or loss
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Taking your medication with food may reduce the risk of nausea. Also, as
long as your medication doesn't keep you from sleeping, you can reduce
the impact of nausea by taking it at bedtime.
Read the package insert for additional side effects, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
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