Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most prescribed class of antidepressants. They block the serotonin transporter, so more serotonin stays available between nerve cells. The class includes sertraline, escitalopram, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and fluvoxamine, used for depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and more. This page collects studies on SSRIs as a group.
Studies of the class as a whole have searched for genes that predict response or side effects, such as the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4, HTR2A, HTR1A, FKBP5 and GRIA3, and genome-wide studies; none is strong enough for a guideline. The firm gene evidence is for individual SSRIs, through the enzymes that break them down: CYP2C19 for citalopram, escitalopram and sertraline, CYP2D6 for paroxetine and fluvoxamine, and CYP2B6 for sertraline, each on its own page.
Every published finding on gene variants and SSRIs. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
HTR1A rs6295: Level 3. Efficacy: Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder. 7.
SLC6A4 SLC6A4 HTTLPR long form (L allele), SLC6A4 HTTLPR short form (S allele): Level 3. Toxicity. 2.
FKBP5 rs4713916: Level 3. Efficacy: Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorder. 2.
HTR2A rs6311: Level 3. Toxicity: Diarrhea, Diminished ability to concentrate, Dizziness, Major Depressive Disorder, Tremor. 1.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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