Fluoxetine (Prozac), the “happiness” drug

What is fluoxetine and what is it for? This drug, popularly known as Prozac, was a milestone in becoming one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with fewer side effects and with greater effectiveness.

Many people with depression use it and various health professionals prescribe it to treat multiple psychiatric disorders. However, sometimes it is so abused that it ends up harming people’s well-being and health.

In this article we will delve into fluoxetine, discover how it works, what problems it is used for and how to store and dispose of it. Are you ready to learn a little about the “happy pill”? Let us begin!

The historical impact of fluoxetine

With the arrival of fluoxetine on the market in the 80s, the fear of antidepressants was lost.. Thus, the active ingredient of Prozac became for many a success of modern pharmacology. The reason? We finally had the first highly effective antidepressant molecule with much more tolerable side effects.

Fluoxetine has been with us for thirty years. To say that the arrival of this new pharmacological resource was little more than a milestone is an understatement. It even became the best-selling medicine, a position it held until recently.

With fluoxetine, the way of approaching depressive disorders changed, above all.. The health system was renewed and something long-awaited was provided: a better quality of life for millions of patients receiving treatment for this disease.

Fluoxetine is not only indicated to treat depressive disorders, it is also effective in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

In the same way, he achieved another no less relevant fact. With the “popularization” of fluoxetine, the stigma of depression began to decline. Finally, there was a medication on the market capable of treating depression and whose side effects were “acceptable.”

Thanks to this fact, thousands of people lost their fear and began to ask for help, they began to talk about their depression without shame or discomfort.

What is fluoxetine and what is it for?

They call it the happy pill. It is effective, well tolerated and what is most interesting: it treats depression and other psychiatric disorders. Fluoxetine is also used in obsessive-compulsive disorders, bulimia and panic attacks..

Furthermore, a study carried out in animal models highlights that fluoxetine has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties against SARS-CoV-2, although more research is necessary. It is even emerging as a drug capable of restoring brain function.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, fluoxetine could stimulate brain plasticity. That is, promoting neuronal development and connections. The topic is undoubtedly fascinating, but more studies are still required to support such a relationship.

This pill, which was on the cover of countless magazines for years, also hides a chiaroscuro underside. Since it came onto the market, it became that “cure-all” resource that doctors and psychiatrists ended up overprescribing for (almost) any clinical and subclinical disorder.

It led to inappropriate abuse, to the point that Many people came to the specialist’s office asking for fluoxetine for one reason: to feel better. Thus, before getting carried away by the media glare of this clinical and pharmacological resource, it is important to know how it works and what side effects it has.

What is fluoxetine?

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).. What does this mean? That its essential action is to prevent neurons from reabsorbing the serotonin that has been released. This causes this neurotransmitter to be active for a longer time in the brain.

A disclosure of StatPearls indicates that SSRIs, compared to other antidepressants, affect very little the reuptake of other chemicals such as dopamine or norepinephrine. Besides, Has fewer side effects than monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)since its influence on adrenergic, cholinergic and histaminergic receptors is lower.

That same article indicates that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of these inhibitors to treat the following pathologies:

Major depressive disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder.

Bulimia nervosa.

Bipolar depression.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Panic disorder.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Treatment-resistant depression.

Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Social anxiety disorder.

What is it for?

We know that fluoxetine is effective in the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bulimia, that it is a good antiviral and that it stands as a good resource to enhance neurogenesis. However, it is useful in many other clinical cases:

Eating Disorders.Attention deficit.Alcoholism.Treatment of obesity.Sleep problems.Chronic headaches. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Sexual dysfunctions.

According to the United States National Library of Medicine, it can be used to reduce symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, such as mood changes, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness.

In addition, fluoxetine may be prescribed for binge eating disorder and treatment-resistant depression in combination with olanzapine. This is suggested by a publication by StatPearls.

Fluoxetine Side Effects

We pointed out at the beginning, until the arrival of fluoxetine, the treatment of depression was limited to tricyclic antidepressants. However, the adverse effects of these medications were very marked.

With drugs like Prozac everything changed, however, This does not mean that we are dealing with a harmless medication in terms of side effects., because that is not it. Let’s see what his main adverse actions are.

Dry mouth.Drowsiness.Constipation.Coordination problems.Blurred vision or sensitivity to light. Pupil dilation. Urinary problems.Short-term memory problems.

This antidepressant can cause serious adverse effects, although they are not as common. He National Health Service from the United Kingdom recommends Make an appointment with your doctor if you gain or lose weight or if there are changes in your menstrual period..

This entity also suggests going immediately to the emergency room if there are excessive euphoric states (mania), bleeding in the gums, coughing up blood, vomiting blood, bloody stools, chest pain, seizures, suicidal ideations, allergic reactions such as itching, redness, swelling, or peeling of the skin.

All these effects will undoubtedly depend on the duration of the treatment and its correct administration. It is important, for example, Do not combine fluoxetine with other drugs that act on the central nervous system such as MAOIs or with natural medications such as St. John’s wort.

People who take long treatments with this drug may experience hypotension problems.

How should I store or dispose of this medicine?

The best way to store it is to keep the medication in its original container, closed and protected. Likewise, it needs to be located in a place with room temperature, where it is not exposed to light, heat or humidity.

Fluoxetine should be kept away from children, as it many of its presentations are not approved for minors and can be opened very easily. Therefore, it is recommended to keep it out of sight and reach.

Regarding how to dispose of this antidepressant, it is important to consult with your doctor or your local garbage and recycling department beforehand. When return is not an available disposal strategy, you can flush them down the sink or toilet. The FDA offers the following guidelines for disposing of medications in your household trash:

Remove the medication from the packaging and mix it with something undesirable. Store the mixture in something you can seal like a bag or can. Throw the container in the trash. Cross out your personal information on the original container and throw it away.

If you have any other questions about how to store or throw away fluoxetine, consult your doctor.. This is always the best option, the most reliable and safest. Clarify all your doubts in the control appointments.

Prozac for everyone? No, the king of happiness is already being dethroned

In the last two decades, Prozac use has declined sharply. We know that its side effects are not that harmful, but there is a basic problem: Fluoxetine cannot be prescribed for all of life’s problems.

This is not appropriate. Fluoxetine is a chemical resource, not a natural element in our body. Even more, let us remember that, for most psychological disorders or problems, drugs are just a band-aid. The intervention demands more approaches, a psychotherapeutic, social, healthcare strategy, among others.

Likewise, we cannot finish this article without remembering that King Prozac has already been dethroned. Currently we have a very large army of third generation antidepressants, the best known being Paroxetine (successor of fluoxetine). Its advantage? They act faster and still have few side effects.

A useful drug with historical impact

Prozac is an option for the treatment of various psychological disorders. Its creation revolutionized the way these problems are addressed and enabled a better quality of life for millions of people.

However, its use is not free of adverse effects and It is not a magic solution for all mental difficulties. It is necessary to highlight that psychotropic drugs are a part of the intervention process, which must be complemented with psychotherapy.

If you are feeling depressed, don’t hesitate to seek help. Consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist so that he or she can design the treatment plan you need. Remember that mental health is very important, and you should not feel ashamed about reaching out for support.

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