Low-certainty evidence suggests that off-label fluoxetine may decrease weight compared with placebo .
However , low-certainty evidence suggests an increase in the risk for dizziness , drowsiness , fatigue , insomnia and nausea following fluoxetine treatment
BACKGROUND Fluoxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for major depression .
It is also thought to affect weight control : this seems to happen through appetite changes result ing in decreased food intake and normalisation of unusual eating behaviours .
However , the benefit-risk ratio of this off-label medication is unclear .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of fluoxetine for overweight or obese adults .
Fluoxetine: relationships among dose, response, adverse events, and plasma concentrations in the treatment of depression.
Data from two large , fixed-dose trials support the efficacy of a fixed 20 mg/day dose of fluoxetine in the treatment of depression . Data pooled from these two studies suggest a dose relationship for adverse events during fluoxetine therapy . At a fixed 20 mg/day dose , only nausea and insomnia were reported by a significantly greater percentage of patients ( p less than .05 ) than those treated with placebo . However , at 60 mg/day , nausea , anxiety , dizziness , and insomnia were reported by a significantly greater percentage of patients ( p less than .05 ) than those treated with placebo . The potential relationship of response rate [ Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) total decrease greater than or equal to 50 % ] to plasma concentrations of fluoxetine , norfluoxetine , and fluoxetine plus norfluoxetine  was evaluated in one study which excluded early responders ( less than or equal to 3 weeks of therapy ) . No significant relationship was found . Furthermore , adverse events were not related to plasma concentrations
Low-certainty evidence suggests that off-label fluoxetine may decrease weight compared with placebo .
However , low-certainty evidence suggests an increase in the risk for dizziness , drowsiness , fatigue , insomnia and nausea following fluoxetine treatment
BACKGROUND Fluoxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for major depression .
It is also thought to affect weight control : this seems to happen through appetite changes result ing in decreased food intake and normalisation of unusual eating behaviours .
However , the benefit-risk ratio of this off-label medication is unclear .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of fluoxetine for overweight or obese adults .