Types of medicine
What Is an SNRI? Antidepressant Class
SNRI · say it: ESS-en-ar-eyeAlso written: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, SNRIs
Short answer
An SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) is a type of antidepressant that raises serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
What it means
SNRIs are a class of antidepressant medicines. They increase the amount of two chemical messengers, serotonin and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline), available between nerve cells. They are used for depression, anxiety disorders and, for some SNRIs, certain kinds of long-term nerve pain.
SNRI labels share several class warnings. They include a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts in children and young adults, a warning about serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonin-raising medicines, possible rises in blood pressure, and discontinuation symptoms if the medicine is stopped suddenly. These warnings are there so you know what to watch for and why changes should be planned with your doctor.
SNRIs are related to SSRIs, which act mainly on serotonin. SNRIs act on norepinephrine too. MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants are older, different classes.
Where you may see it
- Boxed warnings on antidepressant labels
- Leaflets under 'Do not take with' (MAOIs, other serotonergic medicines)
- Pharmacy medication reviews
📄 How it looks on a report
Do not use MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with this medicine or within 5 days of stopping treatment.
🙅 What it does not mean
- SNRI is not a single medicine. It is a family of medicines with shared warnings.
- The suicidal thoughts warning does not mean the medicine causes most people to feel worse. It means mood changes should be watched closely, especially early on.
- Feeling unwell after missing doses does not mean addiction. It is discontinuation symptoms, which are different.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “SNRI”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Apixaban
A factor Xa inhibitor, a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant)
- 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.
- Diclofenac Sodium
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The FDA class is not listed on the label.
- Duloxetine
A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) type of antidepressant medicine
- Escitalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant
- Fluoxetine
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
- Mirtazapine
An antidepressant medicine. The label describes it as having a tetracyclic chemical structure and belonging to the piperazino-azepine group of compounds.
- Naproxen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is a medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation
- Ondansetron
A serotonin-3 receptor antagonist, a medicine that blocks serotonin 5-HT3 receptors to help prevent nausea and vomiting
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “SNRI” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “snri”
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