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. They have no or only weak effects on other monoamine transporters, thus having little direct influence on the level of other neurotransmitters. That distinguishes them from the older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), thus they are named selective. SSRIs are considered to be considerably safer than TCAs, since the toxic dose is much higher and they are said to have fewer and weaker side effects and drug interactions.

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - A general article on SSRI medications. Includes definitions, descriptions, precautions, side effects, and references.
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International Coalition for Drug Awareness - Advocating against the use of SSRI medications.
NPR : Americans 'Worried' Over Antidepressants - Modern antidepressant drugs called SSRIs have benefited millions of people with mental disorders, but it's the possible dangers of those drugs that have grabbed headlines lately. NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports. [3:54 streaming audio broadcast]
Meta Description: [ Modern antidepressant drugs called SSRIs have benefited millions of people with mental disorders, but it's the possible dangers of those drugs that have grabbed headlines lately. NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports. ]
Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Information for patients on this widely used group of antidepressants, which includes such drugs as fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Seroxat or Paxil). Includes how they work, uses and side effects.
Meta Description: [ Medinfo's patient information on SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors), a widely used group of antidepressants, which includes such drugs as fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Seroxat). We discuss mode of action, uses and side effects. ]
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Overview of Regulatory Status and CSM Advice - British government (MHRA) summary of safety and efficacy data for SSRIs in major depressive disorder in children and adolescents.
Sex-free Bliss? - Article that discusses the benefits of newer antidepressants at the cost of sexual side effects. By Stephen G. Bloom.
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