Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI):  A class of drugs used to treat depression, OCD and anxiety by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin by certain nerve cells in the brain. They may be prescribed to manage these symptoms or other co-morbid disorders in eating disorders patients.

The SSRI class is made up of:

  • citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Cipram, Dalsan, Recital, Emocal, Sepram, Seropram, Citox;
  • dapoxetine (no trade name yet; not yet approved by the FDA);
  • escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex, Esertia);
  • fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Seromex, Seronil, Sarafem, Fluctin (EUR), Fluox (NZ), Depress (UZB), Lovan (AUS);
  • fluvoxamine (Luvox, Fevarin, Faverin, Dumyrox, Favoxil, Movox;
  • paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Sereupin, Aropax, Deroxat, Rexetin, Xetanor, Paroxat; sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Serlain);
  • zimelidine (Zelmid, Normud).

Important warning: Certain SSRIs, such as fluoxetine, have been shown to increase suicidal ideation and impulsivity in children and adolescents, though not suicides. Any risk of the drug must be assessed against the risk of a lack of treatment. See blackbox warning. Further, the drug may not have much effect on a malnourished brain; both beneficial effects and such negative side effects, if there are any, may not become apparent until patients have restored a healthy weight.


Keywords: define Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) eating disorder


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