HYPEREXCITATION FROM FLUOXETINE USE IN RODENTS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hyper excitability caused by administration of Fluoxetine which is a highly prescribed antidepressant belonging to a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor class. Behavioral activities were observed on Cage Crossing, Forced Swim Test, Open Field Test and Head Dip Test. These activities were observed on rodents after 60 days of oral Fluoxetine treatment and were compared with untreated control animals. The results clearly showed that Fluoxetine caused significant increase in number of head dips in head dip test, significant increase in number of cage crosses in cage crossing, significant increase in number of squares crossed in an open field apparatus and significant increase in struggling time in forced swim test. Thus overall results indicated hyper excitability in treated animals. Hence, outcomes suggest that Fluoxetine can lead to hyper excitation in behavior and produce anxiety and therefore strongly implies that Fluoxetine use may also require an anxiolytic drug to antagonize this hyper excitability.