Effect of clinical doses of fluoxetine on psychological variables in healthy volunteers.

Abstract

The authors sought to determine the effect of clinically equivalent doses of fluoxetine on mood and other psychological variables in normal subjects. Fifteen healthy volunteers received placebo for 2 weeks; fluoxetine, 10 mg/day, for 1 week; fluoxetine, 20 mg/day, for 5 weeks; and then an additional 2 weeks of placebo in the context of a single-blind study. The subjects were evaluated with a series of self- and observer-rated instruments. No significant effects attributable to fluoxetine were observed on any of the psychological variables examined. Minimal adverse effects were reported. Significant mood-elevating and other psychological effects of fluoxetine would appear to be induced only when symptomatic targets exist.