Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
| Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | Preparations | Comments |
| Citalopram hydrobromide (Tabs) | 10mg, 20mg, 40mg tablets |
SSRI with lowest propensity for drug interactions. Citalopram and escitalopram are the most toxic of SSRIs in overdose (coma, seizures, arrhythmia). Contraindicated with other QT prolonging medications. |
| Citalopram hydrochloride (Drops) | 40mg/ml oral drops | |
| Escitalopram | 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets 20mg/ml oral drops |
For specialist initiation Contraindicated with other QT prolonging medications. Bioequivalence of oral drops to tablets (10 drops = 10mg tablet) |
| Fluoxetine hydrochloride | 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, and 60mg capsules 20mg/5ml oral liquid |
Good option for patents with poor medication compliance due to its long half-life. Oral liquid can also be administered sublingually |
| Fluvoxamine maleate† | 50mg and100mg tablets | Less cost-effective choice than other SSRIs. Use only when other SSRIs are not suitable. |
| Paroxetine† hydrochloride |
10mg, 20mg, 30mg and 40mg tablets 10mg/5ml oral solution |
Less preferred choice. SSRI with greatest risk of discontinuation symptoms Greater tendency to cause sexual dysfunction and weight gain |
| Sertraline hydrochloride | 25mg, 50mg and 100mg, 150mg and 200mg tablets 100mg /5ml oral solution | Drug of choice for those with cardiovascular disease (recent MI or unstable angina) or renal impairment. Reduced propensity for drug interactions. Sertraline levels modestly increased by grapefruit juice - manufacturer advises avoid grapefruit juice |
† - denotes a less preferred choice of medicine.
Back to Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's)
Continue to Tricyclic and related anti-depressant drugs
Continue to Other antidepressant drugs