FLUOXETINE

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.