Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)
-
Safer in overdose than other drugs
-
Don’t increase appetite
-
Fewer anti-muscarinic side-effects than tricyclics
-
Well tolerated in the elderly
-
“Best” drug to use in epileptics.
-
Non-sedating
Indications
Mechanism Of Action
- Block neuronal uptake of 5H-T
Side Effects
GI
- dry mouth
- Nausea
- dyspepsia
- bloating
- flatulence
- diarrhoea
- upper GI bleeding
Neuropsychiatric
- Insomnia
- daytime somnolence
- agitation
- tremor
- restlessness
- irritability
- headache
- seizures
- mania in BAD
Extrapyramidal
Other
- Sexual dysfunction
- erectile dysfunction
- delayed orgasm
- sweating
- SIADH leading to low sodium
Contra-Indications
Interactions
- Lithium / MAOIs
- 5HT syndrome
- agitation
- hyperpyrexia
- rigidity
- myoclonus
- coma
- death
- P450 inhibition
- tricyclics
- antipsychotics
- anticonvulsants
- warfarin
|