Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

General information

SSRIs prevent the destruction of such mediators as serotonin and noripinephrine which affect our mood. SSRIs examples are phenyuzine, tranylcypromine and isocarboxazide. The most common drug of this group is moclobemide (aurorix).

SSRIs are usually prescribed to those who have not had an improvement after taking tricyclic antidepressants. Besides, since SSRIs have rather a stimulating than a calming effect, they are preferable to TCAs for the treatment of dysthymia, a small depression.

Side effects

The most common side effects are dizziness, pressure fluctuation, weight gain, sleep disorder, decreased potency, increased heart rate, swelling of the fingers. The difference between SSRIs and other drugs is that when they are taken, the patient should not eat certain foods. This is rather an unusual list: aged cheeses, sour cream, smoked meat, marinades, fish and soy products, red wine, beer, beans, sauerkraut and pickled cabbage, ripe figs. Some medications are not compatible with SSRIs. That is why the antidepressants of this class should be administered with caution.