Fluoxetine (NO6ABO3) is an
antidepressant.
Fluoxetine's mechanism of action is
predominantly that of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Fluoxetine delays the reuptake of serotonin,
resulting in serotonin persisting longer when it is released.
Basically, fluoxetine, controls
emotion and behavior. “Serotonin and
norepinephrine are synaptic messengers in the limbic regions of the brain
involved in pleasure and motivation, suggesting that the pervasive sadness and
lack of interest (no motivation) in depressed patients are related at least
part to deficiencies or decreased effectiveness of these neurotransmitters. (Human Physiology, from cells to systems,
Sherwood 2010)
Serotonin is involved in the
biosynthesis of physiologically active amines. “Epinephrine (adrenalin),
noreepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), gamma-aminobutyric
acid (GABA), and histamine are hormones and or neurotransmitters derived from
amino acids. (FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY,
Voet 2/E, 2006, Wiley) “
Serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRIs) are believed to increase the extracellularlevel of the neurotransmitter
serotoning by inhibiting its absorption into the presynaptic cell, increasing
serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft available to bind to the
postsynaptic receptor.
A popular fluoxeting pill is Prozac
which has been made popular throughout the media by being placed in sitcoms
like ALLY MCBEAL. In Season 3 the character
played by Calista Flockheart) is convinced by her psychiatrist Dr. Shirley Flott,
played by Betty White, to take the medication. Flott opines the wondrous
benefits of Prozac to almost eucharistic proportions explaining to Ally that
she "won't find happiness through love or God: it comes in a pill."
Flott also asserts that she herself takes Prozac in suppository form. Ally is
initially persuaded to take Prozac in order to combat her hallucinations, and she
is later dissuaded by a friend and coworker.
She ultimately ends up disposing of the pills by flushing them down a
toilet.
Also, in the classic HBO series THE
SOPRANOS, mobster Tony Soprano played by James Gandofini is prone to panic
attacks. His psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco,
prescribes Prozac as a result.
Despite the availability of newer
agents, fluoxetine remains extremely popular. In 2010, over 24.4 million
prescriptions for generic formulations of fluoxetine were filled in the United
States alone, making it the third most prescribed antidepressant after
sertraline (SSRI; became generic in 2006) and citalopram (SSRI; became generic
in 2003). In 2011, 6 million
prescriptions for fluoxetine were handed out in the UK.
Fluoxetine isn’t a great drug. Just like any drug, you need to intelligently
assess whether the potential side effects outweigh the initial problem. Antidepressants cause an individual to get
fat, stay sleepy, and have a feeling of being overly unconcerned. The big problems with fluoxetine is that the
patient is still sad, not happy, weight gain, unmotivated for sex, sleep
deprivation, afraid of the meds, and sometimes suicidal thoughts are still
present.
