Best Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor for depressive disorder
Top-rated pick: Paroxetine Mesylate — pharmaranks score 70/100, the highest of the 9 Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor drugs used for depressive disorder, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for depressive disorder or the full Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 9 serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs we rate for depressive disorder, 8 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are tablet. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for depressive disorder; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How serotonin reuptake inhibitor work
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) block the transporter that pulls serotonin back into nerve cells, so more of this mood-related chemical stays in the gaps between neurons to keep signaling. They act mainly on serotonin, which tends to mean fewer side effects than older antidepressants.
Source: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Other drug classes for depressive disorder
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Top serotonin reuptake inhibitor for depressive disorder: 1. Paroxetine Mesylate · 2. Sertraline Hydrochloride · 3. Zoloft
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 4 | 68/100 | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → | |
| 5 | 66/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 6 | 60/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $2 | View → |
Full ranking · 9 drugs
paroxetine mesylate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Paroxetine Mesylate is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobic Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.97/30· 8 forms Save up to 62% in classsertraline hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Sertraline Hydrochloride is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.90/30· 6 forms
zoloft
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Zoloft (Sertraline Hydrochloride) is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.90/30· 6 formscitalopram hydrobromide
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Citalopram Hydrobromide is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Alcoholism, Dementia, Depressive Disorder, Diabetic Neuropathies.
paxil
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Paxil (Paroxetine Hydrochloride) is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobic Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.97/30· 8 forms Save up to 62% in classpaxil cr
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Paxil CR (Paroxetine Hydrochloride) is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobic Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.97/30· 8 forms Save up to 62% in classbrisdelle
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Brisdelle (Paroxetine Mesylate) is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobic Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.97/30· 8 forms Save up to 62% in classraldesy
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Raldesy (Trazodone Hydrochloride) is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Depressive Disorder, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.99/30· 4 forms Save up to 28% in classtrazodone hydrochloride
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Trazodone Hydrochloride is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat Depressive Disorder, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.99/30· 4 forms Save up to 28% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best serotonin reuptake inhibitor for depressive disorder?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — paroxetine mesylate ranks highest among Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor drugs used for depressive disorder. Always consult a professional.
- Which serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs treat depressive disorder?
- pharmaranks lists 9 Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor products used for depressive disorder, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.