1. So far we’ve covered: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Tamiflu Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

2. Fluoxetine! (aka “Prozac”) THIS WEEK’S DRUG OF THE WEEK IS…

3. What Does It Do?  Prozac is an SSRI antidepressant.  SSRI= Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors  Prozac is used to treat depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

4. How Does It Work?  Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced, causing the aforementioned symptoms.  The chief chemical Fluoxetine targets is serotonin, a chemical used to send message between nerve cells (a neurotransmitter).  Once serotonin is released from the axon of a neuron, it travels to the receiving neuron, activating receptors on that neuron. The serotonin is then reabsorbed by the first neuron by serotonin reuptake transporters.

5. How Does It Work? (contd.)  Typically depression is caused by serotonin failing to activate receptors on the receiving neuron.  Fluoxetine blocks serotonin reuptake, leaving more serotonin the gap between neurons, and thus increasing the chances of receptor activation.

6. Side Effects  “Common” Side Effects Include  Drowsiness/Yawning  Sleep Problems/Strange Dreams  Decreased sex drive/impotency/lack of orgasm  Mild nausea  “Call Your Doctor” Side effects  Hallucinations  Vomiting, diarrhea  Slurred speech  Face\Tongue swelling and a red\purple rash that blisters and peels.

7. Credits  PowerPoint created by: Grant “G-Money” Koch  Works Cited (sort of):  http://www.drugs.com/fluoxetine.html http://www.drugs.com/fluoxetine.html  http://depression.emedtv.com/prozac/how-does-prozac-work.html