Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors

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SSRIs? Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors is a common misspelling of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescription medications licensed to treat depression and other conditions of the brain (such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder). These medications work by affecting a certain chemical in the brain, called serotonin, and allowing it to remain in the brain for a longer time.

The SSRI dosage your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on several factors, such as the specific type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, the condition being treated, other medical conditions you may have, and other medications you are taking. Because certain withdrawal symptoms can occur when these medications are stopped too suddenly, if you are going to stop taking an SSRI, your healthcare provider will wean you off the drug slowly.

(Click SSRIs for more information about how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work, their potential side effects, and tips on when and how to take them. You can also click any of the links in the box to the right for specific information.)