Extrapyramidal side effects and increased serum prolactin following fluoxetine, a new antidepressant

H. Y. Meltzer*, M. Young, J. Metz, V. S. Fang, P. M. Schyve, R. C. Arora

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

166 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fluoxetine (Lilly 110140) is a potent, specific serotonin (5-HT) uptake blocker which is being tested in man for antidepressant activity. One of 9 depressed patients receiving this drug developed a dystonic reaction, parkinsonian rigidity, and increased serum prolactin levels, all signs of decreased dopaminergic activity. Homovanillic acid levels also decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid of this subject. We postulate that fluoxetine, via the increase in 5-HT activity resulting from 5-HT uptake blockade, inhibited both the nigro-striatal and tubero-infundibular dopaminergic neurons. These results provide additional evidence for a linkage between serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons in man.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)165-175
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Neural Transmission
Volume45
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1979

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Extrapyramidal side effects and increased serum prolactin following fluoxetine, a new antidepressant'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this