Ssri antidepressants list
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Comprehensive List of SSRI Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drugs widely used in the treatment of depression and various other mental health conditions. They are favored due to their efficacy, tolerability, and safety profile compared to older antidepressants like tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 26. Below is a detailed list of commonly prescribed SSRIs, along with their key characteristics.
Common SSRIs
Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine, often known by its brand name Prozac, is one of the most well-known SSRIs. It is used to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. Fluoxetine is notable for its long half-life, which can be advantageous in terms of dosing flexibility 36.
Sertraline
Sertraline, marketed as Zoloft, is another widely prescribed SSRI. It is effective for major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sertraline is often chosen for its relatively favorable side-effect profile 36.
Paroxetine
Paroxetine, known by the brand name Paxil, is used to treat major depression, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and PTSD. It is known for its potent inhibition of the CYP2D6 enzyme, which can lead to significant drug interactions 346.
Fluvoxamine
Fluvoxamine, sold under the brand name Luvox, is primarily used for OCD and social anxiety disorder. It is a potent inhibitor of the CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 enzymes, which can lead to drug interactions 346.
Citalopram
Citalopram, marketed as Celexa, is used to treat major depression. It is known for its relatively low potential for drug interactions, making it a safer option for patients on multiple medications 346.
Escitalopram
Escitalopram, known by the brand name Lexapro, is the S-enantiomer of citalopram and is used to treat major depression and GAD. It is often preferred for its high efficacy and low side-effect profile 346.
Vilazodone
Vilazodone, sold under the brand name Viibryd, is a newer SSRI that also acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor. It is used to treat major depressive disorder and is noted for its dual mechanism of action .
Efficacy and Safety
Efficacy
SSRIs are generally considered effective for a wide range of depressive and anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that there are no clinically significant differences in effectiveness between SSRIs and TCAs, although SSRIs are often preferred due to their better side-effect profile and lower toxicity in overdose situations 2589.
Safety in Overdose
SSRIs are significantly safer in overdose compared to TCAs. Overdoses of SSRIs alone are rarely fatal and typically result in minor symptoms such as drowsiness, tremor, nausea, and vomiting. However, severe symptoms can occur at very high doses or when combined with other substances .
Conclusion
SSRIs remain a cornerstone in the treatment of depression and various anxiety disorders due to their efficacy, safety, and tolerability. The choice of a specific SSRI often depends on the individual patient's profile, including their medical history, potential drug interactions, and specific symptoms. Understanding the unique characteristics of each SSRI can help clinicians make informed decisions to optimize treatment outcomes.
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