The side effect profile and safety of fluoxetine

The side effect profile and safety of fluoxetine are reviewed. Side effects reported more frequently with fluoxetine than with tricyclic antidepressants are nausea, nervousness, and insomnia. Anticholinergic side effects are reported less often with fluoxetine. Analysis of adverse experiences leading to discontinuations suggests that this drug has very few serious side effects. There is no evidence that fluoxetine produces a flu-like syndrome or neuropathy similar to that seen with zimelidine. It does not appear to cause phospholipidosis in humans. Fluoxetine appears to have no epileptogenic potential except at extremely high doses. It is usually well tolerated in overdoses.