Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants for treating depression, anxiety disorders and some personality disorders. These drugs are designed to allow the available neurotransmitter serotonin to be utilized more efficiently. A low level of utilization of serotonin is currently seen as one among several neurochemical symptoms of depression. Low levels of serotonin in turn can be caused by an anxiety disorder, because serotonin is needed to metabolize stress hormones.

These medications evolve their effects at the serotonin transporter. They increase the extracellular level of the neurotransmitter serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell.

List of common SSRIs:

• Citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Emocal, Sepram)

• Escitalopram Oxalate (Lexapro, Cipralex, Esertia)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Seromex, Seronil, Sarafem, Fluctin (EUR))

• Fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox, Faverin)

• Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax, Deroxat)

• Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Serlain)