The medicines listed on this website are only there to give you knowledge. Just because they are on the list doesn’t mean that anyone will be given them; in the end, treatment decisions are up to the healthcare workers. The medicines on this list are not all of them. Doctors may recommend other drugs, even ones that don’t contain stimulants, depending on the patient’s specific health needs and circumstances.
The drug Fluoxetine is sold under the brand name Prozac. It is an SSRI, which stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. In the United States, Prozac first came out in 1988. It quickly became one of the most commonly recommended antidepressants. Even though there are newer drugs like sertraline and citalopram that can treat the same problem, this one is still widely used. People with many illnesses, like sadness and anxiety conditions, are given Prozac by their doctors.
There are some bad affects that come with taking Prozac [1*], though. So, this piece will talk about all the important facts about this drug, including how it works, what it’s used for, and how to stay safe while taking it.
What does Prozac do?
Prozac is an antidepressant that you can only get with a prescription. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It was first created to help people with depression, but now it’s often suggested to help with a number of other conditions as well. It helps get rid of the signs of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder by changing neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that brain cells use to talk to each other.
There is also Fluoxetine HCL, which is a common form of Prozac. It comes in the form of pills, a delayed-release tablet, a capsule, and a solution.
Why do people take Prozac?
This is what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said about Prozac in 1987:
- Disorders that cause major depression
- Disorders of Panic
- Problems with eating (Bulimia Nervosa)
- Mood Disorders Before Period (PMDD)
- Depression that doesn’t respond to treatment
- OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Off-label, Prozac is also often used to treat the following conditions:
- People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- SAD stands for social anxiety disorder.
- Ejaculation too early
- Fibromyalgia Headaches
How does Prozac make you feel when it starts to work?
Prozac is an SSRI that works by changing the way neurons in the brain receive serotonin to lessen or get rid of depressive symptoms. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which means it is a chemical that helps brain cells “talk” to each other. When Prozac stops the intake of serotonin, it improves the connection between brain cells, which helps keep mood stable.
It is also known to trigger brain cells in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that helps you remember things. People who take Prozac may feel better physically and mentally. For example, they may have more energy, a better mood, better sleep and eating habits, and a renewed interest in things they used to enjoy.
How long does Prozac work?
It takes time for Prozac to change the amount of serotonin in the brain and make depressed symptoms better. Although many patients expect to feel better quickly, this medicine is meant to be taken for a long time and usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks to fully work.
Prozac can help with the physical signs of sadness as quickly as one to two weeks. These include sleep, hunger, and energy levels that change all the time.
Dosages that are often prescribed
For the best dose, it’s important to think about the patient’s age, medical background, and the illness being treated. Most people with depression are given between 10 and 20 milligrams (mg) by mouth once a day in the morning. If the symptoms don’t go away after a few weeks, the dose may be raised. Most people need between 20 mg and 60 mg per day, but the highest amount that can be taken in a day is 80 mg. You can also get Prozac in the form of a 90 mg delayed-release oral pill that an adult takes once a week to treat sadness.
Note: Your doctor is the only one who can tell you the right dose for your situation.
Side Effects of Prozac
Even though Fluoxetine works, its side effects can’t be avoided. Along with frequent and minor side effects, it may sometimes cause major side effects.
Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
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Black Box Alert
Black Box AlertA black box warning from the FDA is the worst kind of warning a medicine can have.
Drug makers are often told by the government to put a strong warning on the drug’s label and patient instructions sheets if there are any major or life-threatening risks associated with using the drug.
In October 2004, the FDA put out a public warning for teens who were taking antidepressants. Two years later, the warning was widened to include young people up to 24 years old. It is more likely that someone will think about or do something dangerous in the first one to two months after starting to take Prozac, according to the black box warning.
Drug Interactions with Prozac
Drug interactions may change the way your prescriptions function or raise the risk of serious side effects. Before using any other prescription medicine, you should discuss fluoxetine with your doctor or pharmacist since it may interact with a variety of drugs because it stays in your system for many weeks after your last dose.
Prozac and the following drugs may have dangerous interactions when used together:
- Antiepileptic medications such as clopidogrel
- NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen
- anticoagulants such as warfarin
- Aspirin
- MAO inhibitors (most MAO inhibitors should be avoided for at least five weeks after the transition to Prozac and for two weeks before to that)
Does Prozac Allow Withdrawals?
The medication may cause withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using it. The rapid shift in serotonin levels that follows the cessation of certain antidepressants causes these symptoms. Accordingly, some persons who stop using Prozac may have withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms of Fluoxetine/Prozac withdrawal might differ in their onset, intensity, and duration.
Withdrawal symptoms from fluoxetine or any other SSRI may include the following when stopped:
- a feeling of separation
- “Brain zaps,” or the sensation of a shockwave through the skull
- Depression
- Uncertainty
- inability to concentrate
- Weary
- signs of the flu, such as chills or body pains
- erratic motions
- Changes in mood
- Doctors say that symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal usually go away on their own in a few weeks.
Safe Practices When Taking Prozac
Before beginning Prozac, go over the following concerns with your doctor to help them decide whether this medicine is right for you.
- Speak with your doctor if you have a medication allergy or an adverse reaction to any ingredient in capsules, pills, or solutions.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications you now take or plan to take.
- Any nutritional supplements and herbal medicines you take should be disclosed to your doctor, particularly if they include St. John’s wort or tryptophan.
- Tell your doctor if you have low sodium, potassium, or magnesium levels in your blood or if you are undergoing electroshock treatment.
- Tell your doctor if you are expecting, particularly if you are breastfeeding a baby or are in the last stages of your pregnancy. If you get pregnant while taking fluoxetine, contact your doctor straight away. If fluoxetine is used during the latter few months of pregnancy, the unborn child may suffer as a result.
In summary
Prozac is a very useful drug for treating anxiety and depression, but while administering it to patients, one must take into account some of its negative effects. While not all of these adverse effects are expected to happen, medical attention could be needed if they do.
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