A common antidepressant may have an unexpected second job – fighting dangerous infections. New research from the Salk Institute reveals that fluoxetine, better known as Prozac, can both kill harmful bacteria and help the body defend itself against severe infections. The discovery, published February 14, 2025, in Science Advances, shows that fluoxetine works in two key ways: it directly reduces bacterial growth and helps regulate the body’s immune response to prevent damage to vital organs. This dual action could make it valuable in treating sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to infection spirals out of control. “Most medications … Continue reading Fluoxetine: Antidepressant’s Surprising Role in Combating Severe Infections