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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Fluoxetine

Nervous System Agents

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class, used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and bulimia nervosa, among other conditions. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin at the synapse, allowing serotonin to remain longer and enhancing neurotransmission between nerve cells. Researchers Bryan Molloy and Ray Fuller began the work that led to fluoxetine at Eli Lilly and Company in 1970, with chemist Klaus Schmiegel and scientist David Wong contributing to its development as, in the company's own description, the most potent and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor then known; the first scientific article on the compound appeared in 1974, it was given the brand name Prozac in 1975, and the Food and Drug Administration granted final approval in December 1987.

Facts
Drug Class
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant 1
Approved Use
Major depressive disorder and anxiety; also obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and bulimia nervosa 1
First Approved / Isolated Year
1987 1
Significant Risk
Serotonin syndrome, mania, seizures, increased risk of suicidal behavior and increased risk of bleeding 1
Classification
Approval Status
Discontinued 1
ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own account
N: Nervous System 2
Route of Administration
Oral 1
WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account
Core List 3
Partially Attested
Mechanism of Action
Suggested to inhibit serotonin reuptake in the synapse by binding to the reuptake pump on the neuronal membrane, increasing serotonin availability and enhancing neurotransmission 1
The source states it is unclear how fluoxetine exerts its effect on mood and describes serotonin reuptake inhibition as the suggested mechanism.
Connections

Treats

Bulimia Nervosa, Conditions

Fluoxetine is the only SSRI FDA-approved specifically for bulimia nervosa.

Sources
1. Fluoxetine - Wikipedia
  • Lead section, first sentence (drug class)
    an antidepressant medication of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class
  • Article body, sentence beginning 'While it is unclear how fluoxetine exerts its effect on mood'
    While it is unclear how fluoxetine exerts its effect on mood, it has been suggested that fluoxetine elicits an antidepressant effect by inhibiting serotonin reuptake in the synapse by binding to the reuptake pump on the neuronal membrane to increase serotonin availability and enhance neurotransmission.
  • Lead section, first sentence (medical use)
    used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety
  • Article body, sentence beginning 'In the U.S., the FDA gave its final approval'
    In the U.S., the FDA gave its final approval in December 1987
  • Lead section, sentence beginning 'Serious side effects include serotonin syndrome'
    Serious side effects include serotonin syndrome, mania, seizures, an increased risk of suicidal behavior, and an increased risk of bleeding.
  • Lead section, approval-status statement
    In some patients, sexual dysfunction may persist even after the drug is discontinued, a condition known as post-SSRI sexual dysfunction.
  • Lead section, route-of-administration statement
    Fluoxetine is taken by mouth.
View the Source
2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code N
Quote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code N
Nervous system
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3. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines used for obsessive compulsive disorders section
Quote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines used for obsessive compulsive disorders section
Fluoxetine
View the Source
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