Types of medicine
What Is an SSRI? Common Antidepressants Explained
SSRI · say it: ES-es-ar-EYEAlso written: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRIs, SSRI antidepressant
Short answer
An SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) is a common type of antidepressant, such as sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram.
What it means
SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. These medicines increase the amount of serotonin available between nerve cells in the brain. They are commonly used for depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and some other conditions. Examples include sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram and paroxetine.
SSRI labels warn about several things. In children, teens and young adults they can sometimes increase suicidal thoughts early on, so mood is watched closely. Combining them with other serotonin-raising medicines can cause serotonin syndrome. They can raise bleeding risk, especially with NSAIDs or blood thinners, and can cause low sodium in older people. Stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms, so they are usually tapered. It often takes a few weeks to feel the benefit.
SSRIs are one type of antidepressant. Others include SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs, which work in different ways and have different side effects.
Where you may see it
- Antidepressant labels and boxed warnings
- Interaction warnings on triptans, some pain medicines and NSAIDs
- Medicine lists in letters and discharge summaries
📄 How it looks on a report
Use with caution with NSAIDs, aspirin, or other drugs that affect coagulation, because of an increased risk of bleeding.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not work instantly; benefits usually build over a few weeks.
- It is not usually addictive, but stopping suddenly can cause unpleasant discontinuation symptoms.
- Being on an SSRI does not mean you can never take pain relievers; ask a pharmacist which are suitable.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “SSRI”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Amitriptyline
An antidepressant of the tricyclic type
- Amphetamine
a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant
- Apixaban
A factor Xa inhibitor, a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant)
- Celecoxib
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
- Clopidogrel
A platelet inhibitor of the P2Y12 type (a thienopyridine). It is a blood thinner that keeps platelets from sticking together.
- Cyclobenzaprine
A medicine used for muscle spasm that is closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, according to the label
- Diclofenac Sodium
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The FDA class is not listed on the label.
- Edoxaban
A factor Xa inhibitor, a type of blood thinner (anticoagulant)
- Escitalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “SSRI” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “ssri”
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