Fluoxetine administration to pregnant rats increases anxiety-related behavior in the offspring.

Rationale: Fluoxetine (Prozac®) is the most frequently prescribed drug to battle depression in pregnant women, but its safety in the unborn child has not yet been established. Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, crosses the placenta, leading to increased extracellular serotonin levels and potentially neurodevelopmental changes in the fetus.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the long-term consequences of prenatal fluoxetine in rats.