PROZAC (FLUOXETINE, LILLY-110140), THE FIRST SELECTIVE SEROTONIN UPTAKE INHIBITOR AND AN ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUG - 20 YEARS SINCE ITS FIRST PUBLICATION

In this review, we describe the evolutionary process involved in the d iscovery of the selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, and summa rize some of the large body of scientific research performed on fluoxe tine in the 20 years since the first publication. The historical backg round of the proposed involvement of 5-HT in psychiatric disorders and the activity of tricyclic antidepressants in depression is reviewed. The effects of fluoxetine in various in vitro assays and in animal stu dies including receptor down-regulation, neurochemical and behavioral models are summarized. In addition, the clinical effectiveness of fluo xetine in depression and obsessive compulsive disorders and its potent ial use in other disorders are examined.