Prozac and the Unhappy Fish

The widely prescribed anti-depressant Prozac is a cause of sexual dysfunction in fish and amphibians. Prozac, of which the active ingredient is Fluoxetine, is one of a group of drugs known as serotonin uptake inhibitors. They are prescribed to combat depression and depression.

You would think that Prozac in the water courses would result in a lot of happy fish! Well that is not the case. Research into Prozac and the sexual behaviour of goldfish has shown that sperm production in males in polluted water is cut by half. There is also a decline in the transmission and detection of pheromones leading to poor reproduction.
A study by the American Chemical Society in San Francisco recorded a huge number of fresh water Mussels extinct or under threat due to toxic chemicals in the water, of which Prozac is one. The drug causes Mussel larvae to be released prematurely thus contributing to a decline in these molluscs.

In Mosquitofish sexual maturity is delayed. In frogs there is a delay in metamorphosis from tadpole to adult.

Prozac is an environmental hazard and toxic water should be treated, not allowed to enter rivers, streams and so on where it is a threat to fish and amphibians in the wild. Germany is leading the way by investigating how to eliminate the presence of the drug from sewage. Many countries lack the motivation to do anything due to the cost of such procedures.

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