Pharmacology

The Genesis of Fluoxetine: A Historical Perspective Fluoxetine, widely recognized by its brand name Prozac, stands as a landmark in psychopharmacology. Its journey began in 1972 at Eli Lilly and Company, with a team of dedicated researchers including David Wong, Ray Fuller, Bryan Malloy, and Klaus Schmiegel. The primary motivation behind its development was to find an antidepressant with a safer cardiovascular profile compared to the tricyclic antidepressants prevalent at the time. ...

Introduction: The Revolution in Antidepressant Medicine The landscape of depression treatment underwent a dramatic transformation with the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications represent a paradigm shift from the earlier, more dangerous tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, offering improved safety profiles while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Understanding the differences between these two major classes of antidepressants is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients navigating treatment options. This comprehensive analysis explores their development history, mechanisms of action, comparative effectiveness, and side effect profiles. ...