Uncertainty Raised in Use of Fluoxetine for Poststroke Motor Recovery

The large randomized, controlled FOCUS trial showed no motor benefit from 6 months of fluoxetine use after stroke.

A previous randomized study (FLAME; NEJM JW Neurol Mar 2011 and Lancet Neurol 2011; 10:123) in patients with ischemic stroke showed that fluoxetine was superior to placebo in terms of motor recovery and functional independence. However, the study was relatively small and short-term (assessing 90-day outcomes), and uncertainty has persisted about the value of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) following stroke. The larger Fluoxetine or Control Under Supervision (FOCUS) trial now provides more information on this topic. In FOCUS, 3127 patients (mean age, 71.4 years; 62% men) were recruited and assigned to treatment with either fluoxetine 20 mg or placebo daily for 6 months. Patients had a clinical diagnosis of stroke with focal n…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Uncertainty Raised in Use of Fluoxetine for Poststroke Motor Recovery

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Reviewing Author