CapseraSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Compare the named medicines in this source-linked class directory.
Membership describes a named action or a component of a combination. A medicine may appear in several families. Medicines in one family are not automatically interchangeable; this is a study directory, not a prescribing guide.
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Generic names and pronunciation
| Sertraline · SER-tra-leen |
| Escitalopram · es-sye-TAL-oh-pram |
| Fluoxetine · floo-OX-e-teen |
| Citalopram · sye-TAL-oh-pram |
| Paroxetine · pa-ROX-e-teen |
Pronunciation is shown for the US English generic name.
Body system and related classes
Body system: Psychiatry
How each medicine works
| Sertraline — Potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by inhibiting neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Escitalopram — The S-enantiomer of citalopram inhibits neuronal serotonin reuptake. Its antidepressant action is presumed to relate to increased serotonergic activity in the CNS. |
| Fluoxetine — Exact mechanism unknown; presumed linked to inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. |
| Citalopram — Presumed to potentiate CNS serotonergic activity by inhibiting neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Paroxetine — Presumed to potentiate CNS serotonergic activity by inhibiting neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
Each summary is the mechanism line from the medicine’s study card.
What each medicine is used for
| Sertraline — Major depressive disorder in adults; Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and children aged 6–17 years; Panic disorder, PTSD or social anxiety disorder in adults; Premenstrual dysphoric disorder in adults |
| Escitalopram — Major depressive disorder in adults and children aged 12 years and older; Generalized anxiety disorder in adults |
| Fluoxetine — Major depressive disorder in adults and children aged 8 years and older; Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and children aged 7 years and older; Binge-eating and vomiting in adults with moderate to severe bulimia nervosa; Panic disorder in adults |
| Citalopram — Major depressive disorder (adults) |
| Paroxetine — Major depressive disorder in adults; Obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder in adults; Social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults; Posttraumatic stress disorder in adults |
Each list is the uses line from the medicine’s study card.
Telling these medicines apart
Medicines in this class: 5
Listed on more than one card in this class
Used for
Major depressive disorder in adults · 2/5: Sertraline, Paroxetine
Common side effects
Nausea · 4/5: Sertraline, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine
Insomnia · 2/5: Escitalopram, Fluoxetine
Somnolence · 2/5: Fluoxetine, Paroxetine
Warnings
Serotonin syndrome · 5/5: Sertraline, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Paroxetine
Increased risk of bleeding · 3/5: Sertraline, Escitalopram, Paroxetine
Interactions
MAOIs (incl. linezolid, IV methylene blue) · 2/5: Sertraline, Escitalopram
Pimozide · 2/5: Sertraline, Escitalopram
Boxed warning
5/5: Sertraline, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Paroxetine
Same boxed-warning wording on: Sertraline, Escitalopram
An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.