Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FLUOXETINE POSTPARTUM SAFETY versus ZOLOFT.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FLUOXETINE POSTPARTUM SAFETY versus ZOLOFT.
Fluoxetine-Safety-Postpartum vs ZOLOFT
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); inhibits serotonin reuptake in the synaptic cleft, potentiating serotonergic activity in the CNS.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by blocking the reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic neuronal membrane, resulting in increased serotonin concentrations in the synaptic cleft.
20 mg orally once daily, initially; may increase after several weeks to a maximum of 80 mg/day. Administer in the morning.
50 mg orally once daily, increased by 50 mg increments at 1-week intervals up to 200 mg/day for depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, PMDD, social anxiety disorder.
None Documented
None Documented
Fluoxetine: 4-6 days (acute), 4-6 weeks (chronic); norfluoxetine: 4-16 days. Steady-state achieved after 2-4 weeks.
26 hours (terminal elimination half-life); steady state achieved in ~1 week; metabolite desmethylsertraline half-life 66 hours.
Renal (80% as metabolites, 10% as unchanged drug) and fecal (15%)
Renal: <0.5% unchanged; extensive hepatic metabolism; metabolites excreted renally and fecally.
Category A/B
Category C
SSRI Antidepressant
SSRI Antidepressant