Prozac, Zoloft, And Paxil Are Called Ssris Because They
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Prozac, Zoloft, And Paxil Are Called Ssris Because They
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SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. SSRI antidepressants are a type of antidepressant that work by increasing levels of serotonin within the brain.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is often referred to as the “feel good hormone”. It carries messages between brain cells and contributes to well-being, good mood, appetite, as well as helping to regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle and internal clock.
SSRIs increase levels of serotonin in the brain by preventing the reuptake of serotonin by nerves . Having more serotonin available in the nerve synapse means that it can transmit messages easier. All SSRI antidepressants are thought to work in this way.
Antidepressants relieve the symptoms of depression . SSRIs are one type of antidepressant. Other types include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and the atypical antidepressants.
SSRI antidepressants help to relieve symptoms of depression such as low mood, irritability, feelings of worthlessness, restlessness, anxiety , and difficulty in sleeping.
They are one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants because they are effective at improving mood with fewer or less severe side effects compared to some other antidepressants.
In addition to depression , SSRIs may also be used to treat a range of other conditions, for example:
Some reduction in symptoms may be noticed within one to two weeks; however, it may take six to eight weeks of treatment before the full effects are seen.
Although all SSRI antidepressants are thought to act in the same way, there are differences between individual SSRIs with regards to how long they remain in the body, how they are metabolized, and how much they interact with other medications. For example, fluoxetine , fluvoxamine , and paroxetine are more likely to interact with other medications than citalopram , escitalopram and sertraline .
When taken at the recommended dosage, SSRI antidepressants are considered safe. However, they have been associated with a few serious, potentially fatal, severe side effects such as:
In addition, some SSRIs, such as citalopram have been associated with abnormal heart rhythms with higher dosages.
Not everybody experiences side effects with SSRIs antidepressants. Some of the more commonly reported side effects include:
Several SSRIs have been associated with a discontinuation syndrome when they have been stopped suddenly. For this reason, it is best to withdraw all antidepressants slowly.
For a complete list of side effects, please refer to the individual drug monographs.
Medical conditions associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors:
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 July 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 27 June 2022), ASHP (updated 16 May 2022) and others.
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Lexapro ( Pro ) Generic name: escitalopram
Zoloft ( Pro ) Generic name: sertraline
Prozac ( Pro ) Generic name: fluoxetine
Paxil ( Pro ) Generic name: paroxetine
Celexa ( Pro ) Generic name: citalopram
Paxil CR ( Pro ) Generic name: paroxetine
Brisdelle ( Pro ) Generic name: paroxetine
Sarafem ( Pro ) Generic name: fluoxetine
Luvox CR ( Pro ) Generic name: fluvoxamine
Pexeva ( Pro ) Generic name: paroxetine
Selfemra ( Pro ) Generic name: fluoxetine
Rapiflux Generic name: fluoxetine
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Mayo Clinic . September 17, 2019. Facts and Statistics. Anxiety and Depression Association of America . September 19, 2021. What Is Depression? American Psychiatric Association . October 2020. Depression: How Effective Are Antidepressants? InformedHealth.org . June 18, 2020. Casarotto PC, Girych M, Fred SM, et al. Antidepressant Drugs Act by Directly Binding to TRKB Neurotrophin Receptors. Cell . February 18, 2021. Jing E, Straw-Wilson K. Sexual Dysfunction in Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Potential Solutions: A Narrative Literature Review. The Mental Health Clinician . July 2016. Depression Medicines. Cleveland Clinic . May 24, 2019. Lu CY, Penfold RB, Wallace J, et al. Increases in Suicide Deaths Among Adolescents and Young Adults Following US Food and Drug Administration Antidepressant Boxed Warnings and Declines in Depression Care. Psychiatric Research & Clinical Practice . December 2020. Antidepressant Withdrawal: Is There Such a Thing? Mayo Clinic . January 29, 2019. Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL. Antidepressant Efficacy and Side-Effect Burden: A Quick Guide for Clinicians. Drugs in Context . October 8, 2015. Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, et al. Adding Psychotherapy to Antidepressant Medication in Depression and Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. World Psychiatry . February 2014. Cuijpers P, Noma H, Karyotaki E, et al. A Network Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Psychotherapies, Pharmacotherapies and Their Combination in the Treatment of Adult Depression. World Psychiatry . February 2020. Migraine Medications and Antidepressants: A Risky Mix? Mayo Clinic . February 27, 2021. Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs "Off Label." U.S. Food and Drug Administration . February 5, 2018. Wong J, Motulsky A, Abrahamowicz M, et al. Off-Label Indications for Antidepressants in Primary Care: Descriptive Study of Prescriptions From an Indication Based Electronic Prescribing System. The BMJ . January 18, 2017. SSRIs and Benzodiazepines for General Anxiety Disorders (GAD). Anxiety and Depression Association of America . May 26, 2020. Antidepressants: Safe During Pregnancy? Mayo Clinic . January 21, 2022. Antidepressants and Pregnancy: Tips From an Expert. Johns Hopkins Medicine . Breastfeeding & Psychiatric Medications: How Safe Is It for Women to Take Medications and Breastfeed? Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Health . Oskotsky T, Marić I, Tang A, et al. Mortality Risk Among Patients With COVID-19 Prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants. JAMA Network Open . November 15, 2021.
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SSRIs generally cause fewer side effects than other treatments, which is one reason they’re the most commonly prescribed antidepressants.
What do Prozac, Lexapro , and Zoloft have in common? All belong to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and all have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression and related mental health conditions.
They’re also more accessible and cost-effective than other treatment options for depression, says James Rachal, MD , a psychiatrist and senior academic chairman of the department of psychiatry at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Even though SSRIs all belong to the same class of drugs, they don’t work exactly the same way, says Dr. Rachal. That’s why an SSRI that’s effective for one person might not work as well for someone else, and it might cause different side effects for different people. And if an SSRI doesn’t work for you, this doesn’t mean you have to give up on treatment. There are other options, such as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), tricyclic antidepressants , and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
In 1987, fluoxetine (Prozac) was the first SSRI to be approved by the FDA. It became the most popular drug at the time for depression because it was well-tolerated and effective, says Andrew J.P. Carroll, MD , a family physician based in Chandler, Arizona, and a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Prozac is still commonly used to treat depression.
Weight gain is one of the most common side effects of SSRIs, but the amount gained varies from person to person, says Dr. Carroll. “One to three pounds in one person might be 10 to 20 pounds in another,” he says.
That said, not all weight gain is necessarily caused by the SSRI itself. For example, some people with severe depression may have lost weight before treatment due to loss of appetite, a common symptom of depression , Carroll explains. But once the treatment helps their appetite return to normal, they may gain that weight back later on.
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome can usually be avoided by reducing your dose gradually (also known as tapering) to allow your body to adjust.
There is no typical treatment course for SSRIs. The ideal length of treatment has not been well studied, and in practice how long someone will need to take an SSRI varies from person to person. Doctors often prescribe SSRIs in accordance with evidence-based treatment guidelines, which account for factors like depression severity and how each person’s mind and body respond to treatment.
For instance, Carroll says that when he prescribes SSRIs to patients experiencing their first episode of depression, he periodically checks to see how they’re adjusting to the medication and whether they’re experiencing any uncomfortable side effects. Once the patient is stabilized — meaning their depressive symptoms have receded — he generally advises they continue taking the SSRI for at least another six months.
If someone’s depressive symptoms return after their first round of treatment ended, both Carroll and Rachal recommend their patients take an SSRI daily for at least one year.
In general, says Carroll, people who can function normally and don’t have suicidal thoughts or behaviors can eventually taper off SSRIs, or gradually stop taking them under the supervision of their doctor. However, Rachal adds, “There are some people who will experience multiple episodes of depression or persistent symptoms without remission, and for them, we recommend staying on the SSRI indefinitely.”
Although SSRIs have been studied in clinical research trials for decades, findings related to their safety and effectiveness vary. Although many studies show SSRIs can work very well, it's difficult to predict exactly how each individual will react to these medications, mentally and physically, especially when it comes to side effects, says Carroll.
Thus, the effectiveness of SSRIs is most often measured on an individual basis based on improvements in one’s depression compared with any side effects one experiences, Carroll explains. This helps you and your doctor determine whether an SSRI is the best treatment option for you.
People with bipolar disorder often need to avoid SSRIs because these drugs are associated with an increased risk of manic episodes among people with this condition. However, for someone with bipolar disorder who has been stabilized with a mood-stabilizing drug like lithium (Eskalith, Eskalith-CR, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs) or lamotrigine (Lamictal) , treatment with an SSRI might benefit them, Carroll notes.
As always, if you are prescribed an SSRI, be sure to tell your doctor about any other supplements or medications you’re taking and before taking any new ones.
“SSRIs may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches, and decrease nerve pain associated with diabetes,” adds Rachal.
In some cases, SSRIs can also be prescribed off-label to treat premature ejaculation , say Rachal and Carroll.
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking an SSRI during pregnancy. Antidepressant use during pregnancy is generally safe, but it’s not without risk.
The decision to continue or discontinue an SSRI while pregnant largel
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