fluoxetine
Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), some eating disorders, and panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Fluoxetine is also used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It is also used along with olanzapine to treat depression and episodes of depression in people with bipolar I disorder (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Fluoxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions about medication use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking fluoxetine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Fluoxetine has been studied in women undergoing medical treatments for difficulty getting pregnant, and those who took fluoxetine became pregnant at the same rate as those who did not. If you have concerns about fertility while taking fluoxetine, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Does taking fluoxetine increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. A small number of studies did not find a greater chance of miscarriage when fluoxetine was used in pregnancy. Any specific concerns should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking fluoxetine increase the risk of birth defects?
About 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect in general. Reports of over 10,000 first-trimester fluoxetine-exposed pregnancies have not shown a consistent pattern of birth defects, and most studies have not found an increased chance; some studies have suggested a possible increase in heart or other defects, but no increased risk has been proven to be directly related to fluoxetine. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh this information in the context of your own situation.
Can taking fluoxetine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
Some studies suggest a higher chance of preterm delivery or low birth weight, but untreated depression or anxiety in pregnancy can also be associated with complications, making it difficult to know whether the medication, the underlying condition, or other factors are responsible. Some studies have also suggested a possible increased chance of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in newborns when SSRIs are used in the second half of pregnancy, with the overall chance estimated at less than 1%. Use during pregnancy or in the third trimester can also cause temporary newborn symptoms sometimes called withdrawal (such as irritability, jitteriness, or trouble feeding), which are usually mild — these are topics to review with your healthcare provider.
Can taking fluoxetine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
A few studies looking at children from 16 months to 7 years of age did not find differences between those exposed to fluoxetine in pregnancy and those who were not. Most studies have not found an increased chance of ADHD, and most studies also do not find an increased chance of autism spectrum disorders after adjusting for factors such as maternal illness. Your healthcare provider can discuss what this information means for your situation.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine does pass into breastmilk, and most reports find no side effects in breastfed babies, though irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, less sleep, and slightly reduced weight gain have been reported in a small number of cases. The product label recommends that breastfeeding individuals not use fluoxetine, but the benefit of treating the condition may outweigh possible risks. This is a decision to make with your healthcare provider, and any symptoms in the baby should be discussed with the child's healthcare provider.
Source: National Library of Medicine
fluoxetine