🍂
FALL INTO SAVINGS SAVE UP TO 25%
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Pharmacology
/
Antidepressants
/
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Overview

Master SSRI Drugs with a Mnemonic

Struggling to remember SSRI drugs? Textbooks can be overwhelming. Ditch rote memorization and unlock a fun way to learn! Picmonic uses a catchy mnemonic, captivating characters & stories to master common SSRIs.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Overview

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Overview

Selective Silver-tonic Reuptake tube with Inhibiting-Chains
Picmonic
SSRIs, abbreviated for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a class of drugs indicated for use to treat depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, bulimia nervosa, PTSD. Specific SSRIs, such as escitalopram, can even be used to improve cognitive recognition post-stroke. Other drugs in this class are fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline, which all have varied indications for use. These drugs work by selectively inhibiting reuptake of serotonin by presynaptic cells. This leads to an increased availability of serotonin in the synaptic gap, allowing it to repeatedly stimulate the post-synaptic receptors. A common side effect with SSRI use is sexual dysfunction. Male patients often describe erectile dysfunction with this medication, but can also suffer from anorgasmia and decreased libido. Another, more serious, side effect of SSRIs is serotonin syndrome, which can occur when these drugs are combined with other medications promoting serotonin availability. This is a life-threatening, serious affliction, presenting with hyperthermia, hypertension, myoclonus, mydriasis, overactive bowels, and mental agitation. Serotonin syndrome can be managed with cyproheptadine administration.
10 KEY FACTS
INDICATIONS
Depression
Depressed-emo

SSRIs are frequently used to treat various forms of depression.

Anxiety
Anxiety-bag

These drugs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder and PTSD.

MECHANISM OF ACTION
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective Silver-tonic Reuptake tube with Inhibiting-chains

These drugs specifically inhibit the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin by the presynaptic cells. Because of this class of drug's mechanism of action, serotonin stays in the synaptic gap longer than it normally would, and may repeatedly stimulate the receptors of the post-synaptic cell. This class of medications typically requires 4-8 weeks of compliance before they have an effect.

DRUGS
Paroxetine
Pear-rockets

Paroxetine is an SSRI which is indicated for treating social phobia. It is also indicated for use with panic attacks, depression, OCD and PTSD.

Sertraline
Search-light

Sertraline is another SSRI which has numerous uses. It is often indicated for PTSD, and can be remembered by the image of a soldier saying "SIR!" This medication can also be used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, OCD and panic disorder.

Escitalopram
Easter-ram

Escitalopram has a wide variety of uses, and is indicated for cognitive recovery post-stroke. It can also be used for depression and anxiety treatment.

Fluoxetine
Flute-ox

Fluoxetine is indicated for depression. This medication can also be used for OCD, bulimia and panic disorder.

SIDE EFFECTS
Sexual Dysfunction
Limp-weiner

SSRIs are known to cause sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia and decreased libido.

Serotonin Syndrome
Silver-tonic Savage

Serotonin syndrome is a risk with patients taking SSRI medications, while concurrently taking TCAs, SNRIs, MAOIs (any medications increasing serotonin availability). Serotonin syndrome is a rapidly progressive, potentially life-threatening syndrome which can be caused by a drug interaction. It has a wide range of clinical findings, where patients may display hyperthermia, hypertension, myoclonus, mydriasis, overactive bowels and mental agitation.

Treat with Cyproheptadine
Zippo-head

Cyproheptadine is a medication used to treat serotonin syndrome. This drug acts as a serotonergic (5-HT2) receptor antagonist.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
picmonic thumbnail
Bupropion
picmonic thumbnail
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Overview
picmonic thumbnail
Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Antidote
picmonic thumbnail
Aripiprazole (Abilify)

Take the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Overview Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,960,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.