SSRIs and Depression

• SSRI Overview
• How do SSRIs work?
• Who should not use these medications?
• Drug or food interactions
• Side Effects
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

SSRI Overview

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that affect serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter. For many people, SSRIs are the first choice of depression treatment selected by health care providers.
 
SSRIs, which are medications available only by prescription, may be used to treat depression. If a person’s symptoms indicate that he or she has depression, a health care provider will strongly recommend treatment. Treatment may include supportive therapy, such as changes in lifestyle and behavior, psychotherapy, and complementary therapies, but it almost always includes medication. Without treatment, depression symptoms may become worse or last much longer, making recovery difficult. With treatment, the chances of recovery from depression are very high.

Commonly prescribed SSRIs include the following:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)



• Sertraline (Zoloft)



• Paroxetine (Paxil)



• Escitalopram (Lexapro)



• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)



• Citalopram (Celexa)