Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Mnemonic: flu-, par-, -pram and -traline
1 Flu-oxetine
2 Flu-voxamine
3 Par-oxetine
4 Ser-traline
5 Citalo-pram
6 Allosteric Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (ASRI): Escitalo-pram
Latency for antidepressant action:
Following reuptake or metabolism inhibition, NA and serotonin initially act on presynaptic alpha-2 and 5HT1A receptors respectively and decrease the firing of locus ceruleus (NA) and nucleus raphe magnus (5HT). On long term administration, desensitization of these receptors occurs and enhanced transmission is seen.