Inactivation of serotonin

The Diffusion and reuptake through a saturable Na⁺/Cl^--dependent transporter terminates the synaptic action of serotonin. The transporter is reserved by tricyclic antidepressants and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Though, the action of at least one SSRI, fluoxetine (Prozac) might associate to its action in releasing the neurosteroids. The psychostimulant ecstasy (3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine) compete with serotonin for this reuptake system, that might partly describe the euphoria it produces. The Oxidative deamination of serotonin by MAO results its principle metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA).