Guide To Understanding Serotonin

Uses For Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a common type of antidepressant. They can help an individual's body use serotonin with better efficiency. This type of medication meets this goal by making more serotonin available. These medications work by stopping serotonin uptake by the presynaptic receptors, which allows the serotonin present in the individual to bind to postsynaptic receptors. This allows serotonin to be better concentrated in the area between the end of the individual's neurons or synapses.

Medications in this class cannot create more serotonin. They help a patient's body use it in the most optimal way possible. Numerous selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be used to treat an individual's serotonin deficiency. However, the most common include citalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine.

Learn about monoamine oxidase inhibitors next.