Overview of SSRIs and Case Evaluation Form

SSRIs, Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors, are a widely used group of antidepressants, which includes such drugs as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and Sertroline (Zoloft). SSRIs are mostly prescribed for treatment of depression but they have also been prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and social phobia.

The FDA has recently ordered that all antidepressants must carry a "black box" warning, the government's strongest safety alert, linking the drugs to increased suicidal thoughts and behavior among children and teens taking them.

In 24 trials involving more than 4,400 patients taking antidepressants, researchers found a greater risk of increased suicidal thoughts and behavior during the first few months of treatment.

According to Dr. Lester Crawford, acting FDA Commissioner, this action "represents FDA's conclusions about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and the necessary actions for physicians prescribing these antidepressant drugs and for the children and adolescents taking them."

The FDA announcement follows recent guidance from federal advisers. After emotional public hearings involving more than one client of SSKR&P, the advisers urged the agency to add its most strident warnings to the drugs.

The following is a list of SSRI's:

Prozac, Seromex, Seronil, Fontex (Generic: Fluoxetine), Paxil, Seroxat, Opitar, Aropax (Generic: Paroxetine), Celexa, Cipramil, Emocal, Sepram (Generic: Citalopram), Luvox, Fevarin (Generic: Fluvoxamine), Lexapro (Generic: Escitalopram), Wellburtin (Generic: Bupropion), Effexor Generic: Venlafaxine), Zoloft (Generic: Sertroline).

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious adverse reaction after taking one or more of these drugs and would like SSKR&P to provide a free case evaluation, please click here