Antidepressant Fluoxetine

Antidepressants are drugs that are commonly used to treat depression. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Fluoxetine, are the most common type of antidepressant. The discovery of serotonin's role in depression relief in 1970 led to the hypothesis that increased neurotransmission could be a viable mechanism for mediating antidepressant response. As a result, Fluoxetine was discovered and developed, and it was later approved for treatment in the United States. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant that affects chemicals in the brain that may be out of balance due to fear, panic, depression, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms, according to First et al. (2011). Obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, panic attacks, and various eating disorders are all treated with Fluoxetine. It is also used to mitigate the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which includes irritability and mood swings (First et al., 2011, p.246). Moreover, it is used along with Olanzapine as a treatment for cases of depression irresponsive to other medications.

Fluoxetine is a highly addictive drug and thus requires close monitoring by the doctor since sudden halt in taking it can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes, dizziness, irritability, difficulty in falling asleep, and numbness (Riddle, 2006, p.197). According to Riddle (2006), medication may cause several side effects including heartburns, anxiety, weakness, loss of appetite, headache, confusion, and excessive sweating. Other side effects are more severe and may include abnormal bleeding, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, rash, and fever.

Alcohol can cause drowsiness if consumed during the medication course. Over-the-counter drugs may also cause serious side effects; that is why it is better to inform the doctor about all medicines used as well as dietary supplements being taken. Mayberg (2000) says that after taking Fluoxetine, it may take 4 to 5 weeks or a bit longer before one feels its benefits; within this period, therefore, the patient is required to take the medication continuously.

References

First, M., Gil-Ad, I., Taler, M., Tarasenko, I., Novak, N., & Weizman, A. (2011). The effects of fluoxetine treatment in a chronic mild stress rat model on depression-related behavior, brain neurotrophins and ERK expression. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 45(2), 246. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12031-011-9515-5

Mayberg, H. S., Brannan, S. K., Tekell, J. L., Silva, J. A., Mahurin, R. K., McGinnis, S., & Jerabek, P. A. (2000). Regional metabolic effects of fluoxetine in major depression: serial changes and relationship to clinical response. Biological psychiatry, 48(8), 830-843. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322300010362

Riddle, M. A., King, R. A., Hardin, M. T., Scahill, L., Ort, S. I., Chappell, P., ... & Leckman, J. F. (2006). Behavioral side effects of fluoxetine in children and adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 1(3), 193-198. Retrieved from http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cap.1990.1.193