Which two common SSRIs are used in treating depression?

Fluoxetine and sertraline are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) widely prescribed for the treatment of depression. These medications work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is often found to be at lower levels in individuals experiencing depression.

Fluoxetine, known by the brand name Prozac, was one of the first SSRIs introduced and has a long history of effective use in treating depression and other mood disorders. Sertraline, commonly known as Zoloft, is also a well-established SSRI that has shown efficacy in treating major depressive disorder, as well as anxiety disorders and other conditions.

The reason these two medications are favored in clinical practice is due to their generally favorable side effect profiles compared to older antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants (like amitriptyline and nortriptyline) or atypical antidepressants (like bupropion and trazodone), which may carry a higher risk of side effects and are used in different contexts or for specific patient needs. Therefore, fluoxetine and sertraline represent a foundational approach to managing depression with SSRIs in many therapeutic situations.