Genotoxic Effects of Commonly Used Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Antidepressants

Abstract

Depression, stemming from the Latin term 'deprimere,' meaning 'to press down,' is a constellation of symptoms characterized by disturbances in emotion, thought, behavior, and physical functions as reflections of impairments and irregularities in brain functions. As a psychiatric disorder, depression is most commonly treated through the use of antidepressants. Prior to their usage and release into the market, it is essential to investigate the genotoxic effects of these drugs. Genotoxic effects encompass deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage occurring in the nucleus, chromosomes, and DNA structure, including DNA insertions, DNA breaks, gene mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, clastogenicity, and aneuploidy. With the increasing prevalence of antidepressant drug use in contemporary times, the determination of whether these medications induce genetic damage has become exceedingly crucial. Sertraline, commonly employed in the treatment of depression, belongs to the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This review discusses the genotoxic effects of SSRIs, with a specific focus on sertraline.

Cite this article as: Yaman HM, Erbaş O. Genotoxic Effects of Commonly Used Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Antidepressants. JEB Med Sci 2023;4(3):170-174.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.