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Article: Fluoxetine
- Article from:
- Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Fluoxetine
Definition
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant of the type known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It is sold in the United States under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem.
Purpose
Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, premenstrual syndrome, bulimia, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder
.
Description
Serotonin is a
neurotransmitter
—
a
brain
chemical that carries nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. Researchers think that depression and certain other mental disorders may be caused, in part, because there is not enough serotonin being released and transmitted in the brain. Like the other SSRI antidepressants,
fluvoxamine
(Luvox),
...