selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

(SSRI, serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor, serotonergic antidepressant)

A drug in a class of antidepressants used to treat major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders.

They increase the extracellular level of serotonin (neurotransmitter) by limiting its reabsorption (reuptake) into the presynaptic cell.
They have varying degrees of selectivity for the other monoamine transporters, with the pure ones having strong affinity for the serotonin transporter and only weak affinity for the norepinephrine and dopamine transporters.

(Examples: active ingredient (brand name))
• citalopram (Celexa)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• sertraline (Zoloft)

(Side effects)
• bone fractures
• acute narrow-angle glaucoma
• abnormal bleeding: Caused by lowering platelet serotonin levels, which are essential to platelet-driven hemostasis
• bruxism: A condition in which a person grinds, gnashes or clenches his or her teeth.
• sexual dysfunction
• akathisia: A movement disorder that makes it hard to stay still.
• bipolar switch: From depression into hypomania or mania.
• serotonin syndrome
• discontinuation syndrome: Includes nausea, headache, dizziness, chills, body aches, paresthesias, insomnia, and brain zaps.
• suicidal thoughts
• violence