Introduction

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)are a widely usedtype of Antidepressants .

They're mainlyprescribed to treat depression , particularly persistent or severe cases, and are oftenused in combination with a talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) .

SSRIs are usually the first choice medication for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant.

As well as depression, SSRIs canbe used to treat a number of other mental health conditions, including:

• generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• panic disorder
• severe phobias , such as agoraphobia and social phobia
• bulimia
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

SSRIscan sometimes be used to treat other conditions,such as premature ejaculation , premenstrual syndrome (PMS) , fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) . Occasionally, theymay also be prescribed to treat pain.

How SSRIs work

It's thought that SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a messenger chemical that carries signals betweennerve cells in the brain). It's thought to have a good influence on mood, emotion and sleep.

After carrying a message, serotonin is usually reabsorbed by the nerve cells (known as "reuptake"). SSRIs work by blocking ("inhibiting") reuptake,meaningmore serotoninis available to passfurther messages between nearby nerve cells.

Itwould be too simplistic to say that depression and related mental health conditions are caused by low serotonin levels, buta rise in serotonin levels can improve symptoms and make people more responsive to other types of treatment, such as CBT.

Doses and duration of treatment

SSRIsare usually taken in tablet form. When they're prescribed, you'll start on the lowest possible dose thought necessary to improve your symptoms.

SSRIsusually need to be taken fortwo to fourweeks before the benefit is felt.You may experience mild side effects early on, butit's important that you don't stop taking the medication. These effects will usually wear off quickly.

If you take an SSRI for four to six weeks without feeling any benefit, speak to your GP or mental health specialist. They may recommend increasing your dose or trying an alternative antidepressant.

A course of treatment usually lasts for at least six months, although longer courses are sometimes recommended and some people with recurrent problems may be advised to take them indefinitely.

They're not usually recommended if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18, because there's an increased risk of serious side effects. However, exceptions can be made if the benefits of treatment are thought to outweigh the risks.

SSRIs also need to be used with caution if you have certain underlying health problems, including diabetes , epilepsy and kidney disease .

Some SSRIs can react unpredictably with other medicines, including some over-the-counter painkillers and herbal remedies, such as St Johns wort. Always read the information leaflet that comes with your SSRI medication to check if there are any medicines you need to avoid.

These can be troublesome at first,but they'll generally improve with time.

Common side effects of SSRIs can include:

• feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
• feeling or being sick
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• low sex drive
• difficulty achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation
• in men, difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection ( erectile dysfunction )

You'll usually need to see your doctor every few weeks when you first start taking SSRIs to discuss how well the medication is working. You can also contact your doctor at any point if you experience any troublesome or persistent side effects.

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