Fluoxetine is a drug that is mainly used to treat depressive disorders. It belongs to the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Compared to the tricyclic antidepressants (amitryptiline, clomipramine, nortriptyline) that have been prescribed for years in depression therapy, Fluoxetine is characterized by a significantly better tolerability and a smaller spectrum of side effects. It can also be used in children and adolescents aged 8 years and older for the treatment of moderate to severe episodes of depression. The active ingredient is available in Germany only on prescription in pharmacies.
Indications
Fluoxetine is typically used in adults as part of the treatment of depressive disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the treatment of choice, especially in very severe depressive episodes (major depression). Patients who suffer from very severe depression are lethargic, depressed and depressed.
Often, weight changes are accompanied by a change in appetite and sleep disorders. At the same time, thinking is greatly slowed down and patients have difficulty concentrating. Fluoxetine may also be prescribed for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and bulimia.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders are content-related thinking disorders in which a patient feels an inner compulsion to think or do certain things. Bulimia (also called bulimia) is a typical mental eating disorder. Patients suffer from recurrent attacks of ravenous appetite with a subsequent great fear of weight gain.
Therefore, these patients usually vomit the previously consumed food directly again. Fluoxetine can be prescribed as an adjunct to psychotherapy in order to continuously reduce the eating attacks and vomiting. Fluoxetine may be used to treat moderate to severe episodes of depression in children and adolescents 8 years of age and older. This drug treatment should be supported by concomitant psychotherapeutic therapy. However, it should be borne in mind that minors have a significantly increased risk of side effects (including thoughts of attempted suicide and increased hostility).
Fear
Many patients with a depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder also suffer from severe, recurrent anxiety attacks. To treat them, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) provide a good alternative to the typically prescribed benzodiazepines. SSRIs (including fluoxetine) have an anxiety- and tension-relieving effect and are thus effective against both depression and the accompanying anxiety attacks.
This effect is due to the increase in serotonin levels in the central nervous system. After only a few weeks, the mood brightens up with a reduction in anxiety attacks. Compared with the classically prescribed benzodiazepines, fluoxetine does not carry the risk of developing dependence. While benzodiazepines should therefore not be taken continuously for more than 4 to 6 weeks, long-term medication with fluoxetine can be continued for several months.
All articles in this series:
