SSRI: Class Overview and Comparison
Quick answer: SSRI are a class of medicines used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic covers 9 ssri substances. Below is a comparison table linking to detailed pages for each.
SSRI on iMedic (9 substances)
| Substance | Primary indications | Mechanism | Common dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citalopram | Major depressive disorder, Panic disorder | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that increases synaptic serotonin levels | 20-40 mg once daily |
| Escitalopram | Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that increases synaptic serotonin levels | 10-20 mg once daily |
| Fevarin | Major depressive disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluvoxamine) increasing synaptic seroton | 100-300 mg/day |
| Fluoxetine | Major depressive disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder | Selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron, increasing sy | 20-60 mg once daily |
| Paroxetine | Major depressive disorder, Anxiety disorders | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that increases synaptic serotonin levels | 20-50 mg once daily |
| Sertralet | Depression, Anxiety disorders | Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor increasing synaptic serot | 50-200 mg once daily |
| Sertraline | Depression, Anxiety disorders | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that increases synaptic serotonin by bloc | 50-200 mg once daily |
| Sertranat | Depression, Anxiety disorders | Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor increasing synaptic serot | 50-200 mg once daily |
| Setaloft | Depression, Anxiety disorders | Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor increasing synaptic serot | 50-200 mg once daily |
About SSRI
SSRI share a common mechanism of action and clinical use. Specific dosing, side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions vary between individual substances within the class. Click any substance above for full prescribing information and patient guidance.
Common considerations across the class
- Indication-specific selection: Different members may be preferred for different conditions or patient populations
- Dose equivalence: Members of the same class are not always interchangeable on a 1:1 dose basis
- Drug interactions: Class members often share interaction profiles (e.g., CYP enzyme effects) but individual variation matters
- Side effects: Some side effects are class-wide; others are substance-specific
- Contraindications: Individual contraindications may not generalize across the class
Always consult the prescribing information for the specific medicine prescribed and discuss with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
What are SSRI?
SSRI are medicines that share a common mechanism of action used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic currently covers 9 substances in this class with detailed pages for each.
Are all SSRI interchangeable?
No. While medicines in the same class share a mechanism, they differ in potency, dosing, drug interactions, and tolerability. Switching between them is a clinical decision based on individual response, side effects, and treatment goals.
How do I choose between different SSRI?
Selection depends on the specific clinical indication, patient factors (age, comorbidities, kidney/liver function, other medications), tolerability of side effects, cost, and clinician preference. This is a prescribing decision.
Are SSRI available as generics?
Most well-established class members are available as generic alternatives, often substantially less expensive than brand-name versions while clinically equivalent. Newer members may still be brand-only.
Last reviewed: by iMedic Medical Editorial Team. Our editorial process.