Fluoxetine is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Fluoxetine is frequently used to treat major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and trichotillomania. A recent clinical trial found that in bipolar II disorder fluoxetine was equally effective as lithium in preventing future mood episodes. It has also been used for cataplexy, obesity, and alcohol dependence, as well as binge eating disorder. Fluoxetine was shown to be effective for depression in six-week-long double-blind controlled trials, where it also alleviated anxiety and improved sleep. Fluoxetine was better than placebo for the prevention of depression recurrence when the patients, who originally responded to fluoxetine, were treated for a further 38 weeks.
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