Fluoxetine

In the '90s, Prozac's side effects, including suicidal ideation, were scrutinized after Joseph Wesbecker's rampage. Despite a 1994 trial where Eli Lilly was not held responsible, evidence of inadequate testing and reporting emerged. In 2019, it was revealed that Lilly secretly paid $20 million to Wesbecker's victims to suppress damaging evidence about Oraflex, influencing the verdict. Today, millions use Prozac, highlighting the futility of muckraking.

Medication names are scientifically developed to ensure patient safety, with strict processes including chemical, generic, and brand names. The FDA and international bodies oversee these names to prevent errors and ensure global recognition.

Dr. Linda Carpenter discusses the new take-home device, Relivion, developed by Neurolief to treat major depressive disorder. The device, currently under FDA review, aims to provide a convenient treatment option for those with treatment-resistant depression, potentially approved in early 2025. Dr. Carpenter highlights the device's potential to revolutionize depression treatment by offering a home-use option, which could significantly improve patient access and convenience.

Tel Aviv University researchers discovered NMDA receptors (NMDARs) maintain brain stability, explaining ketamine's fast-acting antidepressant effect. Their study, combining lab experiments, mouse tests, and computer modeling, suggests NMDARs could lead to new treatments for depression, Alzheimer’s, and epilepsy.

Pharma industry sponsors dominate clinical cancer research, enrolling over eight times more patients than federally sponsored trials. This shift, which has dramatically increased over decades, benefits drug discovery but skews research priorities towards new drug approvals. Federally-funded trials address broader research questions and show higher demographic diversity. The influx of pharma-sponsored research raises concerns about potential bias in reported drug efficacy.

Fluoxetine, a generic drug for mental health conditions like depression, is available as Prozac. Cost varies by treatment plan, insurance, pharmacy, and form (tablet, solution, capsule, delayed-release capsule). Savings options include Optum Perks coupons, 90-day supplies, and mail-order pharmacies. Without insurance, cost depends on dosage, quantity, and pharmacy. Generic fluoxetine is cheaper than brand-name Prozac.

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in 'magic mushrooms,' is compared to the antidepressant escitalopram in a six-month trial for depression. Psilocybin showed greater flexibility in brain states and higher well-being scores, but both treatments had comparable depressive symptom improvements. Critics argue for more extensive trials and addressing issues like cost and patient selection before widespread use.

The Anxiety Disorders and Depression Treatment Market was valued at USD 12.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 16.65 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.53%. This growth is driven by the rising prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression, advancements in pharmaceutical therapies, and increased awareness and destigmatization of mental health issues.

A new class of drugs, GLP-1 receptor agonists, is set to join the ranks of transformative medicines like Humira, Prozac, and statins, potentially surpassing them in impact.