Small molecule
PubChem CID 3386
Fluoxetine
Prozac
- Mechanism of action
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- In plain language
- Increases the amount of serotonin available in the brain by blocking its reabsorption into nerve cells, helping regulate mood, anxiety, and appetite signals.
- How it works
- Fluoxetine selectively inhibits presynaptic neuronal reuptake of serotonin at the synapse, increasing serotonergic neurotransmission in the CNS. It has minimal affinity for norepinephrine or dopamine reuptake transporters and negligible activity at histaminergic, muscarinic, or alpha-adrenergic receptors, distinguishing it from older tricyclic antidepressants. Its antidepressant, antiobsessional, and antibulimic effects are presumed to result from this sustained potentiation of serotonergic activity, though full clinical response typically requires several weeks. Fluoxetine is metabolized primarily via hepatic CYP2D6 to norfluoxetine, an active metabolite with comparable potency and a notably long elimination half-life, which affects washout time and drug interaction risk.
- Therapeutic applications
- FDA-indicated for acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder in adults and pediatric patients aged 8 and older; acute and maintenance treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and pediatric patients aged 7 and older; acute and maintenance treatment of bulimia nervosa in adults; and acute treatment of panic disorder in adults.
- Class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- CNS / Psychiatric
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