SSRI
Also written as: SSRI — Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Class of antidepressant medications commonly prescribed for anxiety and mood disorders in children and adolescents.
Full Definition
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a class of psychiatric medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain by blocking its reabsorption. In child and adolescent psychiatry, SSRIs are first-line treatments for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Common SSRIs include fluoxetine, sertraline, and escitalopram. These medications require careful monitoring for side effects, particularly increased suicidal ideation in youth under 25. The FDA has issued black box warnings for all antidepressants regarding suicide risk in pediatric populations.
Usage
Usage note: Always use caps for the acronym; include black box warning information when discussing with families.
In Context
- "The patient showed significant improvement on the SSRI after six weeks of treatment." — Clinical progress note
- "SSRI medications require close monitoring for suicidal ideation in adolescent patients." — Treatment protocol