title: Effect of fluoxetine on intraocular pressure in the rabbit.
abstract: The effects of fluoxetine, which is a selective inhibitor of serotonin reuptake (SSRI) have been studied on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the rabbit. IOP was measured using a Perkins tonometer. Intravenous administration of fluoxetine (6.0 mg kg-1) significantly increased IOP by 7.2 +/- 1.3 mmHg (P < 0.001). Fluoxetine administration also reduced the amount of urine excreted during the 24 hr, and increased the urine concentration of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA). Topical preadministration of ketanserin prevented a rise in IOP, without there being any effects on the other parameters examined. These findings indicate that intravenous administration of fluoxetine is able to raise IOP, through increased plasma levels of serotonin, which is confirmed by elevated 5-HIAA urine excretion and reduction in diuresis. Ketanserin, a specific 5-HT2A antagonist, counteracts the IOP increase brought about by fluoxetine, thus emphasizing the role of serotonin in the regulation of IOP and stressing the importance of including ophthalmological examination in the protocol of depressed patients undergoing SSRI therapy.
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, 2nd University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costagliola
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mastropasqua
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Capone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verolino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciancaglini
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pisanti
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004231:Diuresis / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D007650:Ketanserin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors