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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Clomipramine, Fluoxetine) (view source)
Revision as of 12:37, 12 September 2014
, 12:37, 12 September 2014→Specific Effects on Anxiety and Panic
SSRIs are a group of drugs that all have a greater effect on serotonin reuptake than noradrenaline reuptake. Unlike TCAs, which are named on the basis of chemical structure, the SSRIs are named according to their primary effect on serotonin reuptake. The ratio of serotonin reuptake selectivity in favour varies from around 15:1 (fluoxetine) to more than 150:1 (sertraline). Along with increasing serotonergic selectivity, SSRI drugs also show fewer effects on other neurotransmitter systems. In particular, they are less anticholinergic than TCAs.
SSRIs are a group of drugs that all have a greater effect on serotonin reuptake than noradrenaline reuptake. Unlike TCAs, which are named on the basis of chemical structure, the SSRIs are named according to their primary effect on serotonin reuptake. The ratio of serotonin reuptake selectivity in favour varies from around 15:1 (fluoxetine) to more than 150:1 (sertraline). Along with increasing serotonergic selectivity, SSRI drugs also show fewer effects on other neurotransmitter systems. In particular, they are less anticholinergic than TCAs.
==Specific Effects on Anxiety and Panic==
==Effects on Anxiety and Panic==
Panic is a specific manifestation of anxiety and the mechanism of action of drugs that reduce panic share a common factor. Only drugs that reduce the firing rate of neurons in the Locus Coeruleus (LC) effectively reduce panic. For those drugs that do affect the firing rate of the LC, this is thought to be a key to their mode of action in reducing anxiety.
Panic is a specific manifestation of anxiety and the mechanism of action of drugs that reduce panic share a common factor. Only drugs that reduce the firing rate of neurons in the Locus Coeruleus (LC) effectively reduce panic.
Numerous models of anxiety have been tested in animals. Many are not apparently reliable detectors of anxiolytic effect, and have not been applied to more modern anxiolytic/antidepressant drugs like SSRIs/SRIs. Those in which there is a response to TCA/SRI and SSRI drugs are:
Numerous models of anxiety have been tested in animals. Many are not apparently reliable detectors of anxiolytic effect, and have not been applied to more modern anxiolytic/antidepressant drugs like SSRIs/SRIs. Those in which there is a response to TCA/SRI and SSRI drugs include:
*Approach-avoidance conflict (Stretched approach posture test).
*Approach-avoidance conflict (Stretched approach posture test).