Selective serotonin releasing agent



A selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) is a type of drug which selectively induces the release of serotonin from the pre-synaptic neuron into the synapse. This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of serotonin and therefore a selective increase in serotonergic neurotransmission.

SSRAs have been used as anorectics or appetite suppressants in the past, and they have also been suggested as novel antidepressant and anxiolytic agents with a faster onset and superior efficacy in comparison to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The term  ' selective serotonin releasing agent '  was coined by David E. Nichols.

List of SSRAs



 * Pharmaceutical Drugs
 * Chlorphentermine (Apsedon, Desopimon, Lucofen)
 * Cloforex (Oberex; prodrug to chlorphentermine)
 * Dexfenfluramine (Redux)
 * Etolorex (prodrug to chlorphentermine; never marketed)
 * Fenfluramine (Pondimin, Fen-Phen)
 * Norfenfluramine (metabolite of fenfluramine; never marketed)


 * Research Chemicals
 * 2-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (2-Methyl-MDA)
 * 3-Methoxy-4-methylamphetamine (MMA)
 * 3-Methyl-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (5-Methyl-MDA)
 * 3,4-Ethylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (EDMA)
 * 4-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA)
 * 4-Methoxy-N-ethylamphetamine (PMEA)
 * 4-Methoxy-N-methylamphetamine (PMMA)
 * 4-Methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA)
 * 5-(2-Aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (5-APDB)
 * 5-Indanyl-2-aminopropane (IAP)
 * 5-Methoxy-6-methylaminoindane (MMAI)
 * 5-Trifluoromethyl-2-aminoindane (TAI)
 * 5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI)
 * 5,6-Methylenedioxy-N-methyl-2-aminoindane (MDMAI)
 * 6-Chloro-2-aminotetralin (6-CAT)
 * 6-Tetralinyl-2-aminopropane (TAP)
 * 6,7-Methylenedioxy-2-aminotetralin (MDAT)
 * 6,7-Methylenedioxy-N-methyl-2-aminotetralin (MDMAT)
 * N-Ethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2-aminoindane (ETAI)
 * N-Methyl-5-indanyl-2-aminopropane (IMP)