Does fluoxetine cause body odour? (+3 factors)
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
In this article, we will discuss whether fluoxetine can cause body odour or not. In addition to this, we will also explore the mechanism and the factor that will be associated with it and how this symptom can be managed.
Does fluoxetine cause body odour?
No, fluoxetine is not responsible for causing body odour. However, body odour can be produced as an indirect result associated with one of the side effects of the drug.
Fluoxetine is responsible for increasing sweat production. Sweat, if left unchecked, could result in the growth of bacteria which in turn would be responsible for the development of body odour by breaking down the acids in the sweat.
Body odour can be prevented by practising good hygiene which may include bathing regularly and using antiperspirants to prevent sweat production.
What is the link between Fluoxetine and body odour?
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant drug belonging to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Fluoxetine is not directly the cause of body odour but it cna alter the odour by causing sweating which in turn could be the reason for the production of body odour. (1)
Fluoxetine is useful for anxiety and other mood disorders but it comes with its drawbacks. Some of the common side effects are listed below:
- Nausea
- Inability to sleep
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling weak
Some people may also face serious side effects but it happens rarely. Serious side effects are listed below:
- Change in weight
- Change in periods: Could result in spotting, heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding between periods
- Euphoria or restlessness
- Abnormal bleeding from gums, in stool or urine
- Hypomania or mania
- Allergic reactions
- Long-term sexual side effects: This may include difficulty in getting an erection or having a reduced sex drive
What factors affect body odour?
Apart from sweating, there can be other indirect factors that can contribute to the production of body odour while taking fluoxetine. (2)
Hormonal changes: During the time of puberty, hormonal and sweat glands become more active which can result in the production of body odour.
Dietary intake: The food ingested also plays a big role in the development of body odour. Food such as garlic, onion, seafood, alcohol and red meat etc can cause body odour.
Environment: A stressful environment can also trigger the production of sweat which can in turn result in the production of body odour.
Hygiene: The practice of poor hygiene will also result in the formation of body odour.
Genetics: It has been researched that every individual produces body odour that is distinct to them as seen in the case of fingerprints. Their body odour may be influenced by genetics and can be hereditary.
How to manage body odour while taking fluoxetine?
Some useful tips to manage body odour are listed below:
- Practice good hygiene by taking regular showers and keeping your body clean. This will prevent the bacteria from breaking down the acids in the sweat which in turn causes body odour.
- Incorporate the use of antiperspirants such as deodorants in daily routine to avoid sweating.
- Reducing stress from life or managing it by addressing the cause of stress would help reduce stress. Stress can be reduced by yoga, meditation or getting professional help.
- Loose-fitted and breathable clothes would also help reduce sweating as well as allow the skin to breathe freely.
- Drink plenty of water to be hydrated. This will result in the removal of toxic waste from your body.
- In case of stinky feet, dip your feet in warm water with baking soda. Baking soda is known to help neutralize body odour.
Conclusion
In my opinion, fluoxetine is a very useful medication for anxiety and mood disorders and has been well-tolerated by most people. If there are concerns about body odour, the person should try management techniques first before thinking of switching the medication. This is because fluoxetine is not directly responsible for body odour.
Different individuals will have different responses to the medication. Consultation with the healthcare provider would help you decide the most suitable option.
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References
1.-
Kolli V, Ramaswamy S. Improvement of antidepressant-induced sweating with as-required benztropine. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2013 Nov;10(11-12):10-1. PMID: 24563813; PMCID: PMC3931183. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931183/
2.-
Havlíček, J., Fialová, J., Roberts, S.C. (2017). Individual Variation in Body Odor. In: Buettner, A. (eds) Springer Handbook of Odor. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Cham.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26932-0_50
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