SSRIs: the complete list, ranked by safety record
All 7 ssris we track, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Unlike a plain list, every drug here carries its safety record, what it treats, whether a generic exists, and how long it stays in your body.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a class of antidepressants. Beyond depression, they are used for obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
How they work: They block the serotonin transporter (SERT) that pulls serotonin back into nerve cells, so more serotonin stays active in the space between neurons where it keeps stimulating receptors.
What everyone taking one should know
SSRIs carry an FDA boxed warning for a possible increased risk of suicidal thoughts in people up to age 25, especially early in treatment or after a dose change. Excess serotonergic activity — from an interaction or overdose — can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome (agitation, fast heart rate, high fever, tremor). Abruptly stopping can trigger a withdrawal (discontinuation) syndrome with dizziness, nausea, and mood changes. Any change to your regimen is a prescriber's call, not a solo one.
| Drug | Safety | Generic? | Treats |
|---|---|---|---|
| citalopram hydrobromideboxed warning Half-life: about 35 hours | 72/100 | Brand only | Alcoholism, Dementia |
| nefazodone hydrochlorideboxed warning | 72/100 | Brand only | Depressive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders |
| escitalopram oxalateboxed warning Half-life: about 27 to 32 hours | 70/100 | Brand only | Major Depressive Disorder |
| sertraline hydrochlorideboxed warning Half-life: about 26 hours | 68/100 | Brand only | Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder |
| paroxetine hydrochlorideboxed warning Half-life: about 21 hours on average | 62/100 | Brand only | Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder |
| fluoxetine hydrochlorideboxed warning Half-life: about 1 to 3 days | 46/100 | Brand only | Bulimia, Major Depressive Disorder |
| trazodone hydrochlorideboxed warning Half-life: about 7 hours | unrated | Brand only | Depressive Disorder, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders |
Ranked by our independent recall-safety score (higher is better), which reflects the FDA recall and enforcement record — not effectiveness. A higher score is not medical advice to switch; which drug is right for you is a prescriber’s decision. 1 are unrated (too little regulatory history to score) and sort last.
Sources
Other drug classes: NSAIDs · Statins · Benzodiazepines · Opioids · Beta blockers · SNRIs · ACE inhibitors · ARBs · Proton pump inhibitors · Calcium channel blockers · Macrolide antibiotics.
The list is built from the FDA’s Established Pharmacologic Class tags, so it reflects the drugs in this class that we track (one row per active ingredient). Safety scores come from the FDA recall and enforcement record. This is general reference information, not medical advice — do not start, stop or switch a medication based on it; talk to your prescriber or pharmacist.