Final answer:
Fluoxetine, found in Prozac, acts as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and thereby increasing serotonin levels in the brain to help treat depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prescription drug Prozac, which contains fluoxetine, functions primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. This places fluoxetine in the category of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are one of the classes of antidepressants that increase the levels of serotonin in the central nervous system by preventing its reabsorption into the presynaptic neuron. This increase in available serotonin in the synaptic cleft can improve mood and has made SSRIs a common treatment for depression. To specifically answer the question, fluoxetine’s mechanism of action is Serotonin reuptake inhibition (B).
Fluoxetine is not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which blocks the enzyme that degrades neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Instead, fluoxetine works by ensuring that more serotonin is available in the synaptic cleft, which can affect mood regulation. Therefore, when considering the provided options, the correct answer is B. Serotonin reuptake inhibition.