AboutDr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi Expertise I can provide information on drugs and medicines, their actions, uses, interactions and adverse effects. To avoid confusion, generic names of
medicines may please be provided. I am a pharmacologist, having worked
on animal and human pharmacology, and presently I am the Dean of Bilcare Research Academy, where we teach courses on clinical research. We dont work on saturdays and sundays, hence questions reachng me on these days will be replied on Monday, please bear with me.
Question Hi, I'm a 25 year-old female, been diagnosed with depression and started taking prozac. I've been on this medication for 4 months now and apart from feeling much better I've experienced a considerable weight loss. My diet hasn't changed, my appetite is exactly the same as before (maybe I feel "fuller" faster) and my phisical activity is moderate as usual. I read that is one of the possible side effects of fluoxetine and I would like to know in layman's terms why this happens. Thank you very much in advance.
Answer Hi Nuria,
Prozac is an SSRI, that is it selctively blocks the uptake of serotonin in the central nervious system. Serotonin a chemical messenger is intricately involved in appetite. Because of Prozac some people lose weight but more gain weight. You are among the lucky people to lose it. Because of the drug you feel full faster.
I hope I am clear enough.
Ravi Ghooi
