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selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

This section is designed to inform professionals.

The first SSRI to become available was fluoxetine (Prozac),which rapidly gained popularity largely because of its improved safety and side effects profiles compared to the tricyclic antidepressants.

The SSRIs are considerably safer in overdose and do not cause the sedation, weight gain or hypotension associated with many of the tricyclics.

The SSRIs, as a class, share several common features but there are also differences and unique aspects to their functioning.

One of the significant pharmacokinetic differences is the length of the half-life of the parent compound and it's main (active) metabolite. The degree of 'withdrawal' symptoms following sudden cessation of the medication tends to be inversely related to it's half-life.

SSRIs and their half-lives

Generic Name

 

Brand Name

 

Parent

1/2 life

Metabolite

1/2 life

Full subsidy

in NZ

Fluoxetine Fluox, Prozac 24-72hr 4-6days Fluox
Paroxetine Aropax, Loxamine 20hr NA Loxamine
Citalopram Cipramil, Celapram 33hr NA Celapram
Escitalopram Lexapro     No
Fluvoxamine   15hr   No
Sertraline Zoloft 24-26hr 66 hr No

 

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Antidepressants Citalopram

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