ABSTRACT
Fluoxetine (Flu) is a new bicyclic antidepressant drug which enhances serotoninergic neurotransmission through potent and selective inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin. Norfluoxetine (N-Flu), formed in humans by N-demethylation, also inhibits serotonin reuptake. Preliminary clinical trials have shown that Flu is similar in therapeutic efficacy to traditional tricyclic antidepressants but has significantly fewer side effects. No significant correlation has been observed between serum fluoxetine concentrations and therapeutic response with the increased use of the drug. However, the demand for serum Flu assay to monitor compliance or unexpected toxic concentrations after chronic use of Flu is increasing. Fluoxetines, at therapeutic concentrations, have been determined in plasma, by gas chromatography with electron capture detection, by flame ionization, and by nitrogen-selective detection at toxic concentrations. In an attempt to find a selective mode of detection for fluoxetines, native fluorescence of fluoxetines was examined.
