Unfortunately, though there is enough evidence of success to continue research in this vein, these drugs are highly controversial. Many charge that researchers are trying to manipulate brain chemistry without fully understanding it. Fluoxetine is part of the compound that made up Prozac, one of the first SSRI drugs. It is approved as an antidepressant by the FDA and still in circulation, but it, as many similar medicines, has been accused of encouraging suicide, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.

Other Uses

Some antibiotics employ to the fluoro-structures in order to further stabilize the compound. Fluoroquinolones are a large group of broad-spectrum antibiotics. They are particularly affective in killing bacteria. Some fluorides are even used as cutting edge treatments for HIV.

There are a slew of other specialty drugs that contain some variation of fluorine. It is notably part of some antifungal drugs and steroids. Using fluoride has been a trend in modern medical research for some time, but new uses for the element appear everyday.

Importance of Fluorine

The fact that a derivative of fluorine can be found in one fifth of all pharmaceuticals speaks to its general importance. 67% of Americans ingest sodium chloride everyday in their drinking water. The versatility and stability of these substances also allows them to make medicines in which they are not the active ingredient more effective.

As more research is done in the medical field, this chemical continues to prove useful to fight illness. The world of pharmaceuticals certainly would not be the same without it.

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