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Fluoxetine in family practice patients
A T Taylor1, P J Wagner, D C Pritchard
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Athens.
The Journal of Family Practice
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Family physicians adequately treat depression with fluoxetine, achieving a 68% improvement rate. Obese patients were more frequently prescribed this antidepressant, suggesting a potential prescribing bias.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited understanding exists regarding how family physicians prescribe newer antidepressants to depression patients.
- Family physicians are the primary point of contact for many individuals diagnosed with depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prescribing patterns of fluoxetine by family physicians for depression.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and side effect profile of fluoxetine in a primary care setting.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review of 40 family practice patients prescribed fluoxetine.
- Data collected included patient demographics, diagnosis, prescription details, and treatment outcomes.
- Standardized format used for information extraction.
Main Results:
- Depression was documented in 92.5% of patients.
- Fluoxetine patients were more likely to be female and heavier than the general depressed population.
- A 68% improvement rate was observed, with 30% experiencing side effects leading to discontinuation in 15% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Fluoxetine (20-40 mg/day) can achieve adequate improvement in depression without higher-dose side effects.
- Family physicians may preferentially prescribe fluoxetine to obese patients, possibly due to perceived, though inconclusive, weight loss benefits.