SSRIs - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - ANTIDEPRESSANTS - PHARMACOLOGY

SSRIs include agents like Citalopram, Escitalopram, Sertraline, Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine. These Agents selectively inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. Use  for depression, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, posttraumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder. fluoxetine has much longer half life that is of 50 hours whereas other agents have it between 16 to 36 hours. SSRIs have less blocking affinity for histaminic, muscarinic and adrenergic receptors therefore have lesser of side effects than that of TCAs. Sleep disturbance, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, nausea, GI effects, sweating, fatigue are side effects caused by SSRIs. children should be cautiously monitored when they are on SSRIs. Over dosage can cause arrhythmia by citalopram. serotonin syndrome can occur with SSRI or along with any other Serotonergic drug. Discontinuation syndrome can occur due to abrupt withdrawal of SSRIs. Fluoxetine has least chances of causing any withdrawal effects