fluoxetine

noun

flu·​ox·​e·​tine flü-ˈäk-sə-ˌtēn How to pronounce fluoxetine (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In people with depression, serotonin levels in the brain drop significantly — a problem that SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and sertraline (Zoloft) help to address. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2025 The Cleveland Clinic lists trazodone, amitriptyline, clomipramine doxepin, fluoxetine, sertraline, phenelzine and rasagiline as possible culprits. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Common SSRIs include fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram and vilazodone. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 Trace levels of antidepressants, like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) affect fish behavior, too — sometimes in bizarre ways. Benji Jones, Vox, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluoxetine

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluoxetine was in 1975

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Cite this Entry

“Fluoxetine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluoxetine. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

fluoxetine

noun
flu·​ox·​e·​tine ˌflü-ˈäk-sə-ˌtēn How to pronounce fluoxetine (audio)
: 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

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