Fluoxetine is a prescription medication used to treat depression disorders and related conditions. As with all medicines, it can cause unwanted side effects in some individuals. Side effects of fluoxetine should be reported to the prescribing doctor. These side effects are typically short-term and do not cause permanent harm.
Definition
Fluoxetine is the chemical name for well-known brand name drugs such as Prozac. This medication belongs to a family of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, that affect the brain to treat various disorders, as described by RxList.com.
Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine and other SSRI medications work by affecting the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a nerve chemical that is released by the neuron cells and acts to signal the brain. Low levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain have been linked to depression, anxiety, panic disorders and other conditions. The Mayo Clinic explains that fluoxetine and other SSRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin back into the nerve cells, increasing their activity in the brain and helping to treat depressive disorders and other conditions.
Depression
In depressive disorders such as bipolar disease and seasonal affective disorder, an imbalance between of neurotransmitters is thought to cause symptoms such as altered or erratic thoughts, depression, fatigue, sadness, anxiety and loss of motivation. RxList.com notes the fluoxetine is considered to be a highly effective treatment for many types of depression. It increases the feelings of well-being and calmness by increasing the activity of serotonin in the brain.
Other Effects
This medication is also used to treat other mood related disorders such as bulimia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD and panic attacks. The eating disorder bulimia nervosa involves uncontrolled binge eating followed by inducing vomiting and taking laxatives to lose weight. Panic disorders are a from of depression and anxiety disorders that cause an overreaction to stress and other conditions. Drugs.com notes that each of these conditions is positively affected by fluoxetine and other SSRI medications because they promote higher levels of the relaxing neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.
Side Effect
Fluoxetine and other selective serotonin reuptake medications can cause unwanted side effects in some patients. These include effects on sexual function such as erectile dysfunction and loss of libido. Other side effects are listed by Drugs.com such as insomnia, loss of appetite, seizures, skin rash, suicidal thoughts and inability to concentrate.
Long-Term Effects
However, the Mayo Clinic emphasizes that fluoxetine is a selective inhibitor of neurotransmitters and therefore has relatively less adverse side effects than other antidepressant medications. These side effects may not occur in all individuals taking fluoxetine and are temporary. In most cases, they subside with use of the medication and disappear completely after fluoxetine dosages are stopped.
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