How Does Prozac Work?

Communication between nerve cells in the brain depends on a huge range of difference chemical neurotransmitters. The balance of these is very delicate and if the level of a key transmitter falls below normal levels, this can severely affect the way the brain functions.

Serotonin is a good example. It is found throughout the nervous system but if levels in the brain are low, this can lead to depression. The anti-depressant drug, Prozac, can be used to treat this type of depression because it is a serotonin-uptake inhibitor. Put more simply, this means that Prozac delays the mechanisms that destroy serotonin in the brain. Neurotransmitters are continually made and destroyed so that their effects can be regulated.

If the level of serotonin is low, and this is causing depression, preventing it being destroyed quite as quickly helps to raise overall levels again. This can alleviate some of the feelings of depression as brain transmitter levels return to normal.