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The Difference Between SSRI's???

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Dan1584(2)

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 12, 2003
Messages
982
There are many different SSRI's out there such as Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac amongst plenty of others. But I was wondering, besides dosage, how are these various SSRI's actually different upon the action which they take on the brain? Isn't an SSRI just an SSRI? Don't they just selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake transporters? I'm not getting how they can be different....please explain.
 
The main difference is how strong their effects are on the receptors and how long the effects last for.
 
They all are similar to their effect as stated above - that is to increase the serotonin potentiation in your brain. BUT despite the sharing of the same principal mechanism of action, SSRIs are structurally diverse with large variations in pharmacokinetics. The potency for serotonin reuptake inhibition varies, as does the selectivity for serotonin relative to noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibition.

Differences in half-lives, linear versus non-linear pharmacokinetics, effect of age on their clearance and their potential to inhibit drug metabolising cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes. For example, some people may find one SSRI causes drowsiness (paxil) as others may inversly create insomnia (prozac).
 
Just like a benzo is a benzo. The differences are just variations on the known effects. How long will it last, how quickly will it kick in, some might bring about more or less of a desired effect (sleepiness vs. loss anxiety). Often it is just a way for a drug company to keep the cash rolling in. Patents expire 17 years after they go into effect.
 
i think the key issue between different SSRI's is that some work for some people where others dont. Eg Prozac may not do anything to some, where Paxil might work wonders.

I beleive that for some people they are a godsend. Unfortunately they are way overprescribed much to the delight of drug companies.

If depression is related more to external factors, ie you have no money, partner has left you, then they arent really going to do much. Its down to YOU to change things. However, if the depression is more bioligical or as a result of drug abuse then they can work wonders at kickstarting your seretonergic system.
 
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