A Timeline of SSRIs
Development of the first SSRI drugs begins at the University of Basel in Germany. From this research the drug Zelmid is developed
1967
1982
Zelmid is introduced onto the market in Europe as the first commercially available SSRI antidepressant. The drug is withdrawn from the market the same year, after it has been shown to cause a fatal condition known as Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Fluoxetine is introduced onto the market with the brand name Prozac.
1987
1991
Sertaline, a second SSRI antidepressant, is introduced onto the market under the brand name Zoloft.
Paroxetine is introduced onto the market under the brand name Paxil.
1992
1993
Venlaflaxine is introduced onto the market under the brand name Effexor.
Elizabeth Wurtzel's Prozac Nation is published. This best-selling memoir helps push SSRIs to the front of popular thinking about psychiatry in America.
1994
1999
A study finds that, since 1995, use of SSRIs for children aged seven to 12 increased by 151 per cent, and in children under six by 580 per cent.
Citalopram is introduced onto the market under the brand name Celexa.
1999
2000
Studies begin to emerge that link SSRIs with suicidal thoughts in otherwise healthy people with no history of mental illness.
It's reported that children aged five and under were America's fastest-growing segment of the non-adult population using antidepressants.
2004
2005
Ingenix pregnancy study reveals that the use of Paroxetine in the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations compared with other drugs. The findings of this study prompt widespread concern regarding the use of SSRIs during pregnancy.
A New England Journal of Medicine Study is published that finds an increased risk of birth defects from SSRI use during pregnancy and the FDA places black box warning regarding PPHN on all SSRIs.
2006
2008
The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology finds an increased risk of congenital heart defects from the use of Prozac and Paxil.
A British Medical Journal study is published finding increased risk of birth defects from Prozac, Celexa, Paxil and Zoloft.
2009
2009
Forest Labs is accused of defrauding government by promoting Celexa and Lexapro for children and teenagers.
A study is published showing an increased risk of heart defects for children whose mothers took SSRIs while pregnant.
2010
2011
Another study links Prozac and Paxil to heart defects. Doctors are warned that before prescribing SSRIs they should consider whether a woman might become pregnant.