SSRI drugs are a group of antidepressants that are commonly used in the treatment of clinical and reactive depression. There is a great number of various groups of anti-depressant drugs and all of them work differently. Thus unlike other groups of drugs SSRIs only affect serotonin and do not influence other neurotransmitters. Besides, SSRIs have advantages over other groups of antidepressants and proved their effectiveness in the treatment of mental disorders.
Review of SSRI group
The abbreviation SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The action of the drugs is reflected in the name of the group. SSRIs help to stop the uptake of serotonin. It is considered that abnormal uptake of this neurotransmitter is one of the major causes of depressive disorders because a person’s mood directly depends on the amount of this substance in the brain.
The antidepressants of this group are most commonly used in depression treatment; however they are also effective in fighting against other problems with mental health such as anxiety, panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
It should be noted that SSRIs are considered to have less dangerous side effects in contrast to other anti-depressant medications. Among common side effects of SSRI are such ailments as sickness, painful joints, indigestion, rashes and problems with sleep. As a rule, these illnesses are very mild and do not disrupt the treatment.
SSRIs may also cause two rather serious side effects, but they occur very rarely. Moreover, it is easy to avoid them, since their causes are identified. Serotonin toxicity is caused by big amounts of serotonin in the brain. It is attended by hallucinations, embarrassment, convulsions and may cause coma. As a rule, it is caused by drug interaction, but it can be easily prevented with proper instructions from a well-qualified specialist.
The other thing is that in isolated cases SSRI drugs can increase depression or cause suicidal mood. It may happen as consequence of dosage changes. However being under the regular control of a doctor during SSRI therapy a patient can avoid the danger.
SSRI therapy is very often the first treatment option recommended by specialists. At the initial stage of SSRI treatment patients are intensively monitored for side effects. In case no side effects are noticed patients continue the treatment which in most cases shows positive results in overcoming depression.
History of the use of SSRI drugs
SSRIs are a new group of anti-depressant medications. Fluoxetine was the first drug of this group, and it was first used in 1987. This drug is still one of the most frequently prescribed pills and is sold under the trend name Prozac.
The drugs of this group became very popular thanks to their relatively safe action and absence of hazardous side effects. The risk of overdosage especially with lethal outcome is very low. Moreover, in contrast to other antidepressants SSRI drugs are not habit-forming. Today they are most commonly recommended depression treatment.
Types of SSRI drugs
There are 5 types of SSRI drugs:
Fluoxetine – sold under the tend name Prozac
Sertrline – sold under the tend name Zoloft
Citalopram – sold under the tend name Celexa
Paroxetine – sold under the tend name Paxil
Escitalopram – sold under the tend name Lexapro
All the types of SSRIs proved to be equally effective. They differ mainly in side effects a patient may experience. As a rule, this or that SSRI drug is prescribed based on the reaction of a person to the medicine.
How effective are SSRI in depression treatment?
Doctors often recommend SSRIs as depression treatment because these drugs have fewer and less harmful side effects as compared with other medications. But still it is necessary to consult a doctor when you want to change the drugs or intend to stop SSRI treatment for this or that reason.
These medications can stabilize depressive moods and treat various mental disorders better than other anti-depressant drugs. Besides, they are safer for those who suffer from heart problems. SSRI antidepressants were approved and determined as effective depression treatment by the medical community.