fluoxetine

noun

flu·​ox·​e·​tine flü-ˈäk-sə-ˌtēn 

: an antidepressant drug C₁₇H₁₈F₃NO that is administered in the form of its hydrochloride and enhances serotonin activity

Examples of fluoxetine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Benedict’s cause of death, revealed in an autopsy report, was ruled as toxicity from diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, and fluoxetine, an anti-depression medication. —Will Carless, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024

Others, like fluoxetine, which is used to treat depression, have decreased. —Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024

For instance, the doctor observed that at least one primate was being treated with fluoxetine—generic Prozac—for depression. —Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2023

There are also four medications (sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine) that have a conditional recommendation to treat PTSD. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Nov. 2023

To demonstrate the machine’s range, the MIT team produced four pharmaceuticals: diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl), diazepam (Valium), fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac), and the local anesthetic lidocaine hydrochloride. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2016

If treatment without medication is unhelpful, or specific behavioral programs are not available, or the person prefers medication, then SSRI medicines, such as fluoxetine or citalopram, are often used. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2023

Unlike some other antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (marketed as Prozac), zuranolone doesn’t increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter that acts as a hormone and carries messages from the brain to regulate a range of bodily functions, including temperature, sleep, and hunger. —Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023

Psychedelics and trauma Why would one to two psychedelic therapy sessions be more effective than taking daily prescription medications like fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil)? Receiving a cancer diagnosis and experiencing adverse effects from treatments can be traumatic. —C. Michael White, Fortune Well, 17 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, probably from fluor- + oxy + methyl + amine

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

fluoxetine

noun

flu·​ox·​e·​tine ˌflü-ˈäk-sə-ˌtēn 

: a drug that functions as an SSRI and is administered in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₇H₁₈F₃NO·HCl especially to treat depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder see prozac