SSRI

SSRIs are a class of antidepressant medications that work by increasing serotonin signaling in the brain. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), escitalopram (Lexapro), and citalopram (Celexa). SSRIs are first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe depression, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and PTSD.

The Black-patient evidence base on SSRIs is sparser than for white patients (a known equity gap in psychopharmacology research). For postpartum depression specifically, sertraline is the most-studied SSRI in lactation and is generally first choice for breastfeeding mothers. See major depressive disorder.