SSRIs Mnemonic Video Notes

Jul 24, 2024

SSRIs: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Overview

  • Class of antidepressants used to treat depression and anxiety.
  • Effective medication with potential side effects and adverse reactions.

Mechanism of Action

  • Block or inhibit the reuptake of serotonin.
  • Increases serotonin availability in the brain (feel-good neurotransmitter).

Common SSRI Drug Names

  • Citalopram: Remember with the mnemonic: Citi (Citi credit card).
  • Escitalopram: Related to citalopram (remember together).
  • Sertraline: Remember with the mnemonic: certificate (sushi chef certificate).
  • Paroxetine: Remember with the mnemonic: parrotfish.
  • Fluoxetine: Remember with the mnemonic: flower (begins similarly).

Clinical Uses

  • Depression: First-line treatment, increases serotonin levels to improve mood.
  • Anxiety: Used for General Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, panic disorders.
  • Overall preferred over other antidepressants like TCAs or MAOIs due to fewer side effects.

Important Considerations

  • Suicidal Thoughts: Potential increase in suicidal thoughts short-term before mood improves (due to energy increase prior to mood lift). Priority patient safety issue.
  • Time to Act: SSRIs can take up to four weeks to impact mood.

Common Side Effects

  • Sexual Dysfunction: Affects over 50% of patients (decreased libido, difficulty achieving orgasm).
  • Weight Gain: Encourage a healthy diet and exercise to mitigate.

Adverse Reactions

  • Serotonin Syndrome: Life-threatening, caused by too much serotonin.
    • Symptoms: tachycardia, hypertension, muscle rigidity, agitation, restlessness, diarrhea.
    • Emergency: Notify provider, do not administer SSRI if suspected.

Drug Interactions and Warnings

  • MAOIs: Avoid taking with SSRIs (require 14-day separation to prevent serotonin syndrome).
  • St. John’s Wort: Herb increasing serotonin levels - avoid.
  • Grapefruit: Alters drug metabolism, increases serotonin levels - avoid.

Recap

  • SSRIs: Effective in treating depression and anxiety.
  • Common drugs: citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine.
  • Side effects: sexual dysfunction, weight gain.
  • Adverse reaction: serotonin syndrome.
  • Avoid: MAOIs, St. John’s Wort, grapefruit products.

For more information and resources, check out additional mnemonic videos and lessons. Subscribe to the channel for the latest updates.