Final answer:
Sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are FDA-approved SSRIs and are considered first-line treatments for PTSD. Other drugs like phenelzine or venlafaxine may be used, but are not first-line, while amitriptyline is typically not used due to its side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently includes medications known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Among these, sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are the two SSRIs specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of PTSD. These medications work by increasing levels of serotonin in the central nervous system, thus helping to alleviate symptoms of PTSD. Although other medications like phenelzine (a monoamine oxidase inhibitor) or venlafaxine (a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) might be used in certain circumstances, they are not considered first-line treatments. Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, is not commonly used as a first-line treatment for PTSD due to its side effect profile and the availability of SSRIs with fewer anticholinergic effects.