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 .
The addition of dexfenfluramine to fluoxetine in the treatment of obesity: a randomized clinical trial.
Current evidence demonstrates that pharmacologic agents , alone or in combination produce short-term weight-loss and may remain effective for extended periods of time in obese patients . We have evaluated the weight loss of a selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake , fluoxetine , alone as compared with combined therapeutic trial with another serotoninergic drug , dexfenfluramine .  Thirty-three patients were r and omly assigned in a double-blind r and omized clinical trial divided to two groups : Group I [ Fluoxetine 40 mg and placebo ( n = 13 ) ] and Group II [ Fluoxetine 40 mg plus dexfenfluramine 15 mg at night ( n = 20 ) ] . Both groups had a significant weight loss at the end of 8 months ( Group I , mean + /- SEM 6.2 + /- 2.8 kg and Group II 13.4 + /- 6.3 kg , p < 0.05 ) . Group II patients had a significantly greater weight loss as compared with Group I both in terms of mean weight loss in kg and BMI in kg/m2 . However significance between Group I and II related to BMI mean values and weight mean values were only achieved after , respectively , 4 and 6 months of treatment . At laboratory level there was an elevation of HDL-cholesterol and lowering of serum lipids values ( cholesterol and triglycerides ) in both groups . Side effects were relatively minor and no altered clinical vital signs or abnormal laboratory values were observed . We concluded that the combination of fluoxetine ( daytime ) and dexfenfluramine ( at night ) may be more effective than fluoxetine alone in weight reduction although the small size of this study does not permit broad generalization
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 .