Although fluoxetine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat depression, bulimia, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is not approved as a weight-loss medication. Despite this fact, some doctors still prescribe the medication for this purpose. While taking fluoxetine for weight loss may be effective for some individuals, always do your own research and due diligence before deciding if this approach is appropriate for you.
Off-Label Prescribing
The act of prescribing a medication for a purpose for which it was not intended is known as off-label prescribing. This practice is particularly common for antidepressant medications like fluoxetine, according to Drugs.com. There is often little to no scientific evidence supporting the safety of taking medications for purposes not approved by the FDA.
Effectiveness
Fluoxetine may increase a person's basal body temperature, which in turn increases energy expenditure, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. In a 2010 study reported in the "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry," weight loss does tend to occur in individuals taking fluoxetine. However, it appears that this effect is limited to the acute phase of treatment. More research is needed before it is appropriate to conclude that fluoxetine is an effective weight-loss medication.
Risks
Taking fluoxetine as a weight-loss medication has many risks. Fluoxetine contains a boxed warning because it may increase the risk of suicidal tendencies, particularly in individuals younger than 24 years old. Fluoxetine may also cause life-threatening conditions, such as serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Because of this, any changes in mental status, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate or muscle control should be reported to a doctor immediately. Less serious, but still unpleasant, side effects of fluoxetine include diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, nausea, dry mouth, tremors, drowsiness, sore throat, changes in sex drive, excessive sweating and anxiety.
Considerations
Although fluoxetine may be an appropriate weight-loss aid for some individuals, the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that behavioral therapy and dietary modifications are preferable. Explore other weight-loss options with your doctor so you can make an educated decision about whether taking fluoxetine is appropriate. If you do decide to take fluoxetine, keep in mind that it may be four to five weeks or longer before you experience the full effects of the drug. Suddenly stopping fluoxetine may cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, so gradually discontinuing the medication over time is preferable. If you have any specific questions about taking fluoxetine, talk to your doctor.
References
- PubMed Health; Fluoxetine; September 2010
- Drugs.com; Study Calls for Greater Scrutiny of "Off-Label" Drug Use; November 2008
- American Academy of Family Physicians; Drug Therapy for Obesity; Lori M. Dickerson, et al.; April 2000
- "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry"; Antidepressants and Body Weight: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis; A. Serretti, et al.; Oct 2010
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers About FDA's Initiative Against Contaminated Weight-Loss Products
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