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Fluoxetine: Difference between revisions

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| structure        = Fluoxwhite.svg
| structure        = Fluoxwhite.svg
| classes          = SSRI, Anxiolytic, Antidepressant
| classes          = SSRI, Anxiolytic, Antidepressant
| uses              = Anxiety, premature ejaculation, low mood
| uses              = <vote slug="anxiety-use">Anxiety</vote>, <vote slug="premature-ejaculation-use">Premature ejaculation</vote>, <vote slug="low-mood-use">Low mood</vote>
| starting_dose    = 10 mg
| starting_dose    = 10 mg
| preparations      = 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg caps
| preparations      = 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg caps
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| halflife          = 1–4 days (7–15 days for norfluoxetine)
| halflife          = 1–4 days (7–15 days for norfluoxetine)
| bioavailability  = 70–90% (oral)
| bioavailability  = 70–90% (oral)
| pregnancy        = Category C<ref name ="lactmed">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501186/</ref>
| pregnancy        = Category C<ref name="lactmed">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501186/</ref>
| legal            = Rx-only in US
| legal            = Rx-only in US
| mechanism        = TrkB/BDNF<ref name="trkb">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9666396/</ref> <vote slug="ssri-claim">Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.</vote>
| mechanism        = TrkB/BDNF<ref name="trkb">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9666396/</ref> <vote slug="ssri-claim">Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.</vote>
| intro            = Fluoxetine was the first of a long line of SSRIs. It is notable for its extremely long half-life and relative lack of withdrawal syndrome. It can also be useful in helping taper and discontinue other SxRI medicines.
| intro            = Fluoxetine was the first of a long line of SSRIs. It is notable for its extremely long half-life and relative lack of withdrawal syndrome. It can also be useful in helping taper and discontinue other SxRI medicines.
| pk_absorption    = 70-90%<ref name="statpearls">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459223/</ref> Oral bioavailability
| indications      = <indication slug="depression" title="Depressive disorders" author="MDElliottMD"/>
| pk_distribution  = Fluoxetine has plasma protein binding of approximately 94.5%, bound to albumin and alpha-1 glycoprotein. Fluoxetine readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, with a brain-to-plasma ratio of 2.6:1 in humans. The volume of distribution (Vd) of fluoxetine and its metabolite ranges between 20 to 42 L/kg. Some studies report that fluoxetine has the maximum volume of distribution (Vd) of any SSRI (between 14 and 100 L/kg).<ref name="statpearls"/>
<indication slug="anxiety-disorders" title="Anxiety disorders broadly" author="MDElliottMD">
| pk_metabolism    = Fluoxetine's active metabolite is norfluoxetine, produced when the cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP2D6) acts on it. Prescribers must remember that fluoxetine has several drug-drug interactions due to its metabolism through the CYP2D6 isoenzyme. Additionally, norfluoxetine can have an inhibitory effect on CYP3A4. Fluoxetine has a half-life of 2 to 4 days, and its active metabolite norfluoxetine has a half-life of 7 to 9 days. Approximately 7% of individuals definitively exhibit poor metabolism of fluoxetine due to reduced activity of CYP2D6.
Including generalized anxiety, panic, and social anxiety.
| pk_elimination    =  
</indication>
| pharmacodynamics  =  
<indication slug="panic" title="Panic disorder" author="MDElliottMD"/>
| indications      = Anxiety disorders broadly (including panic, social anxiety, OCD), depressive disorders, potentially PTSD
<indication slug="social-anxiety" title="Social anxiety disorder" author="MDElliottMD"/>
<indication slug="ocd" title="Obsessive-compulsive disorder" author="MDElliottMD"/>
<indication slug="ptsd" title="PTSD" author="MDElliottMD">
Potentially.
</indication>
| dosing            = <titration slug="standard" author="MDElliottMD" title="Standard adult or child">
| dosing            = <titration slug="standard" author="MDElliottMD" title="Standard adult or child">
Start no higher than 10 mg for the first dose. May increase by 10 mg every 2–12 weeks, or remain at 10 mg if the response is adequate, up to a typical starting maximum of 40 mg. Absolute max: 80 mg.
Start no higher than 10 mg for the first dose. May increase by 10 mg every 2–12 weeks, or remain at 10 mg if the response is adequate, up to a typical starting maximum of 40 mg. Absolute max: 80 mg.
Line 30: Line 34:
Start at 10 mg daily; increase by 10–20 mg every 2–6 weeks, up to 80 mg. OCD typically requires elevated doses (60–80 mg).
Start at 10 mg daily; increase by 10–20 mg every 2–6 weeks, up to 80 mg. OCD typically requires elevated doses (60–80 mg).
</titration>
</titration>
| effects          = <effect ref="anxiolysis" author="MDElliottMD">Classically starting at 3–4 weeks and improving for another 8–12.</effect>
| effects          =  
<effect ref="delayed-ejaculation" author="MDElliottMD"/>
* <effect ref="anxiolysis" author="MDElliottMD">Classically starting at 3–4 weeks and improving for another 8–12.</effect>
<effect ref="mood-enhancement" author="MDElliottMD"/>
* <effect ref="delayed-ejaculation" author="MDElliottMD"/>
<effect ref="nausea" author="MDElliottMD">Common, often improves over 1–2 weeks.</effect>
* <effect ref="mood-enhancement" author="MDElliottMD"/>
<effect ref="decreased-libido" author="MDElliottMD"/>
* <effect ref="nausea" author="MDElliottMD">Common, often improves over 1–2 weeks.</effect>
<effect ref="temporary-erectile-dysfunction" author="MDElliottMD"/>
* <effect ref="decreased-libido" author="MDElliottMD"/>
<effect ref="persistent-sexual-dysfunction" author="MDElliottMD">
* <effect ref="temporary-erectile-dysfunction" author="MDElliottMD"/>
Persistent sexual dysfunction, historically [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11450419/ associated with SSRIs]
* <effect ref="persistent-sexual-dysfunction" author="MDElliottMD">Historically [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11450419/ associated with SSRIs].</effect>
</effect>
| pk_absorption    = 70–90%<ref name="statpearls">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459223/</ref> oral bioavailability.
| pk_distribution  = Fluoxetine has plasma protein binding of approximately 94.5%, bound to albumin and alpha-1 glycoprotein. Fluoxetine readily crosses the blood–brain barrier, with a brain-to-plasma ratio of 2.6:1 in humans. The volume of distribution (Vd) of fluoxetine and its metabolite ranges between 20 to 42 L/kg. Some studies report that fluoxetine has the maximum volume of distribution (Vd) of any SSRI (between 14 and 100 L/kg).<ref name="statpearls"/>
| pk_metabolism    = Fluoxetine's active metabolite is norfluoxetine, produced when the cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP2D6) acts on it. Prescribers must remember that fluoxetine has several drug-drug interactions due to its metabolism through the CYP2D6 isoenzyme. Additionally, norfluoxetine can have an inhibitory effect on CYP3A4. Fluoxetine has a half-life of 2 to 4 days, and its active metabolite norfluoxetine has a half-life of 7 to 9 days. Approximately 7% of individuals definitively exhibit poor metabolism of fluoxetine due to reduced activity of CYP2D6.
| pk_elimination    =
| pharmacodynamics  =
| contraindications = MAO-Is, history of severe mania (without a mood stabilizer)
| contraindications = MAO-Is, history of severe mania (without a mood stabilizer)
| interactions      =  
| interactions      =  

Revision as of 04:48, 13 May 2026

SSRI, Anxiolytic, Antidepressant
Fluoxetine
Prozac
Fluoxetine was the first of a long line of SSRIs. It is notable for its extremely long half-life and relative lack of withdrawal syndrome. It can also be useful in helping taper and discontinue other SxRI medicines.

Experience

👥 No personal reports yet
1 provider report · avg efficacy 40.0/100 · avg side-effect burden 40.0/100 · 150 patients managed total

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Problems

<indication slug="depression" title="Depressive disorders" author="MDElliottMD"/> <indication slug="anxiety-disorders" title="Anxiety disorders broadly" author="MDElliottMD"> Including generalized anxiety, panic, and social anxiety. </indication> <indication slug="panic" title="Panic disorder" author="MDElliottMD"/> <indication slug="social-anxiety" title="Social anxiety disorder" author="MDElliottMD"/> <indication slug="ocd" title="Obsessive-compulsive disorder" author="MDElliottMD"/> <indication slug="ptsd" title="PTSD" author="MDElliottMD"> Potentially. </indication>

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Titration strategies

Standard adult or child+1
Start no higher than 10 mg for the first dose. May increase by 10 mg every 2–12 weeks, or remain at 10 mg if the response is adequate, up to a typical starting maximum of 40 mg. Absolute max: 80 mg.
OCD+1
Start at 10 mg daily; increase by 10–20 mg every 2–6 weeks, up to 80 mg. OCD typically requires elevated doses (60–80 mg).

+ Add a titration strategy

Effects

  • Anxiolysis👤 no reports yet⚕️ ~33% +67.0 (n=1)
    Classically starting at 3–4 weeks and improving for another 8–12.
  • Delayed orgasm/ejaculation👤 0% (n=3)⚕️ ~80% +33.0 (n=1)
  • Mood enhancement👤 no reports yet⚕️ ~5% +67.0 (n=1)
  • Nausea👤 no reports yet⚕️ ~5% -33.0 (n=1)
    Common, often improves over 1–2 weeks.
  • Decreased libido👤 no reports yet⚕️ ~33% -100.0 (n=1)
  • Temporary erectile dysfunction👤 no reports yet⚕️ ~20% -67.0 (n=1)
  • Persistent Sexual Dysfunction👤 no reports yet⚕️ ~0% -100.0 (n=1)
    Historically associated with SSRIs.

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Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

70–90%[3] oral bioavailability.

Distribution

Fluoxetine has plasma protein binding of approximately 94.5%, bound to albumin and alpha-1 glycoprotein. Fluoxetine readily crosses the blood–brain barrier, with a brain-to-plasma ratio of 2.6:1 in humans. The volume of distribution (Vd) of fluoxetine and its metabolite ranges between 20 to 42 L/kg. Some studies report that fluoxetine has the maximum volume of distribution (Vd) of any SSRI (between 14 and 100 L/kg).[3]

Metabolism

Fluoxetine's active metabolite is norfluoxetine, produced when the cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP2D6) acts on it. Prescribers must remember that fluoxetine has several drug-drug interactions due to its metabolism through the CYP2D6 isoenzyme. Additionally, norfluoxetine can have an inhibitory effect on CYP3A4. Fluoxetine has a half-life of 2 to 4 days, and its active metabolite norfluoxetine has a half-life of 7 to 9 days. Approximately 7% of individuals definitively exhibit poor metabolism of fluoxetine due to reduced activity of CYP2D6.

Monitoring

None required

Relevant anecdote

⚕️ Provider by MDElliottMD0
Fluoxetine is great for getting off other SxRIs! Especially venlafaxine and duloxetine.

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Relevant Literature

No literature entries yet.

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See also

Sertraline, Duloxetine

References

Structure of Fluoxetine
Summary
Classes
SSRI, Anxiolytic, Antidepressant
Common uses
+ 3 more uses →
Pharmacy
Starting dose
10 mg
Preparations
10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg caps
US FDA Max
40 mg/d
Pharmacology
Routes
Oral
Duration
Very long
Half-life
1–4 days (7–15 days for norfluoxetine)
Bioavailability
70–90% (oral)
Pregnancy
Category C[2]
Legal status
Rx-only in US
Purported mechanism
TrkB/BDNF[1] Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.0