A Comprehensive Review of Analytical Methods Developed for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a key development in psychological pharmacology and treatment. It has been demonstrated that serotonin (5-HT) has a pharmacological role in a variety of anxiety- and mood-related conditions. Fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine are the six primary SSRIs now available in the United States for the treatment of depression and anxiety or mood-related disorders. Despite having a different chemical structure, these compounds function in an analogous fashion. The main mechanism by which SSRIs work is by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed presynaptically at the serotonin transporter, which raises serotonin at the postsynaptic membrane, which is found in the serotonergic synapse. In order to ensure the effectiveness, safety, and quality control of SSRIs in pharmaceutical formulations, it is crucial to quantify them precisely. The present article provides an overview of the main analytical techniques developed to evaluate SSRIs in different matrices. It covers both conventional and hyphenated approaches and concentrates on the analytical methodologies developed to quantify SSRIs. It offers a general overview of the methods that have been developed and standardized for the evaluation of SSRIs in drug formulations and various matrices. It focuses on the major components of SSRI analysis, such as the solvents used for analysis, chromatographic column selections, detection wavelength, and validation parameters. It also discusses various validation parameters, such as accuracy, precision, retention duration, maximum absorbance wavelength (lambda max), range, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ).