What Is Serotonin?

Uses For Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a type of antidepressant, which can help an individual's body utilize serotonin with better efficiency. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors meet this goal by making more serotonin available. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work by stopping serotonin uptake by the presynaptic receptors, which allows the serotonin present in the individual to be able to bind to postsynaptic receptors. This gives serotonin an opportunity to be better concentrated in the area between the end of the individual's neurons or synapses. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are not able to create more serotonin, but they do help their body use it in the most optimal way possible. There are numerous types of different selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications that can be used to treat an individual's serotonin deficiency, but the medications used most often include citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, escitalopram, and sertraline.