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Memory loss in a patient treated with fluoxetine.
Jacqueline D Joss1, Robert M Burton, Cecilia A Keller
1Ambulatory Services, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Corvallis, OR, USA. jjoss@samhealth.org
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|November 25, 2003
Summary
This case report highlights severe memory loss in an elderly patient after starting fluoxetine. Discontinuing the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) led to significant memory improvement, suggesting a possible link.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neuropharmacology
- Adverse Drug Reactions
Background:
- Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for depression.
- Fluoxetine is a widely used SSRI with a generally favorable safety profile.
- Cognitive side effects, including memory impairment, can occur with SSRI use.
Observation:
- An 87-year-old female developed progressive memory loss after initiating fluoxetine for depression.
- The patient was hospitalized due to severe cognitive decline, with other causes ruled out.
- Memory function significantly improved within two months of discontinuing fluoxetine.
Findings:
- A causality assessment indicated a possible relationship between fluoxetine and the observed memory loss.
- This case suggests fluoxetine can cause severe, reversible memory deterioration in some elderly patients.
- The findings align with postmarketing data and case reports suggesting potential memory harm from fluoxetine and other SSRIs.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider memory impairment as a potential adverse effect of fluoxetine, particularly in the elderly.
- Awareness of SSRI-induced cognitive side effects is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Further investigation into the differential impact of various SSRIs on memory function is warranted.