The health, societal and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may cause more patients to need antidepressant therapy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They ease symptoms of moderate to severe depression, are relatively safe and generally cause fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants do.
SSRIs work by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Changing the balance of serotonin helps brain cells send and receive chemical messages, which in turn boosts mood. Most antidepressants work by changing the levels of one or more of these neurotransmitters. SSRIs are called selective because they seem to primarily affect serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.
SSRIs such as Sertraline (Zoloft), are also used to treat Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) however, approximately 50% of OCD patients show poor response.3
The CYP2C19 gene encodes a liver enzyme (cytochrome P450) which acts on 10-15% of drugs in current clinical use, including the SSRIs like Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and Sertraline (Zoloft).
Related to:
Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Sertraline (Zoloft), SSRI, Depression, major depressive disorder,