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SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

By , About.com Guide

Updated July 22, 2009

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Definition: SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors refers to a class of medications used to treatment psychological conditions including depression and the anxiety disorders. This class of drug includes such popular medications as Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Luvox, and Zoloft. Serotonin is a chemical in your brain that is involved in your mood. Some people do not have the appropriate levels of serotonin in their brain, leading to feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors help increase levels of serotonin in the brain, improving mood.

You can learn more about SSRI's through About.com's Drugs A-Z tool.

Also Known As: SSRIs, antidepressants

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