A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research raises concerns about the long-term effects of fluoxetine—better known by its brand name Prozac—when used during adolescence. Researchers found that female mice given fluoxetine during a juvenile period displayed heightened sensitivity to pain and lower body weight in adulthood, even weeks after treatment had ended. The findings suggest that adolescent exposure to this commonly prescribed antidepressant may have lasting effects beyond mood regulation.
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor widely used to treat depression, anxiety, and premenstrual disorders, especially in adolescents. Prescription rates for fluoxetine have been rising sharply among young people, particularly girls. The increase has been partly attributed to growing mental health needs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, during which in-person therapy was less available.
Previous research has shown that early-life exposure to fluoxetine can lead to lasting changes in mood, memory, and drug sensitivity. These behavioral effects are often linked to changes in brain circuits involved in emotion regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Some studies have also suggested that fluoxetine can affect inflammatory processes and body weight, raising the question of whether its effects extend into other areas, such as pain perception…