Fluoxetine hydrochloride (trade names Prozac, Fontex, Ladose, Sarafem, Solax) is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Fluoxetine is approved for the treatment of major depression (including pediatric depression), obsessive-compulsive disorder (in both adult and pediatric populations), bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, panic disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.[1] Despite the availability of newer agents, it remains extremely popular. Over 22.2 million prescriptions for generic formulations of fluoxetine were filled in the United States in 2007, making it the third most prescribed antidepressant.[2] Fluoxetine was developed by Eli Lilly and Company, by scientists Klaus Schmiegel and Bryan Molloy. Lilly also markets the drug for use with pets under the Reconcile brand name.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoxetine

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COMMON & BRAND NAMES:
Prozac; Sarafem; Zactin
EFFECTS CLASSIFICATION:
Antidepressant; SSRI
CHEMICAL NAME:
(+/-)-N-methyl-y-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenoxy] benzenepropanamine
DESCRIPTION:
Fluoxetine is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) which is widely prescribed in the treatment of depression. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Celexa (citalopram) has been used in combination with moclobemide (an MAOI) to produce euphoria.1 [Erowid Note: Combining MAOIs with other psychoactive drugs carries serious medical risks and can result in extremely unpleasant side effects, overheating, nausea, confusion, heart problems, and even death. Please see Erowid's MAOI Vault.]

Prozac (fluoxetine) has been abused in several different ways. Two cases have been described in the medical literature in which street drug users used high doses for its amphetamine-like effect. The first discovered this effect with 80mg (four pills) and two cans of beer on an empty stomach, which produced "increased energy, talkativeness, mood elevation and slight jitters but she reported that it was unlike 'speed' because she also felt numb and calm". The second took 80-140mg (four to seven pills) a day but later increased this to "a handful". He experienced an amphetamine-like effect and needed trazodone and later diazepam (Valium) to sedate him at night. The lives of both patients became dominated by taking the drug, each requiring hospital admission, but neither experienced withdrawal on discontinuation (probably because of fluoxetine's long half-life).

One case is reported of an anorexic who took 120mg (six pills) of Prozac a day for the appetite-suppressing effects, but did not report any psychoactive effects.

There are several formal reports of abuse of amitriptyline (Elavil). One study described 86 patients in a methadone maintenance program who abused amitriptyline for its "sedative type of high". Another case of amitriptyline abuse (750mg/day) became apparent when it caused seizures, as did a second at 800mg/day. A third took up to 2000mg/day. All three (all women) claimed a calming or euphoric effect.

Dothiepin is the most popular antidepressant in Ireland. One study in which a questionnaire was given to 83 attendees at a Dublin drug treatment center revealed that 38 had taken dothiepin at doses of 150-600mg for the purposes of euphoria, sedation, and various auditory and visual hallucinations.

Fluoxetine (Prozac) is unscheduled in the United States, but is available by prescription only. This means that sales and distribution are allowed only by those with a license and only to those with a prescription (according to FDA regulations). Possession is not illegal even without a prescription.
Source(s):
http://www.erowid.org/pharms/fluoxetine/fluoxetine_law.shtml
http://www.erowid.org/pharms/fluoxetine/
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ssris/ssris_info2.shtml

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PROZAC may help to correct this imbalance by increasing the brain's own supply of serotonin.

Some other antidepressant medicines appear to affect several neurotransmitters in addition to serotonin. PROZAC selectively affects only serotonin.

While PROZAC cannot be said to "cure" depression, it does help to control the symptoms of depression, allowing many people with depression to feel

FAQ on Prozac

# I have recently been prescribed PROZAC 20 mg once a day. How should I take it?

As with any prescription medication, you should follow your doctor's advice when taking PROZAC. The general recommendation is to take PROZAC in the morning. PROZAC can be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose, don't take a double dose. Just continue with your next scheduled dose.


# I just started treatment for my depression with PROZAC. How long should it take for PROZAC to start working?

The first goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms of depression that are disrupting your life. Symptom relief usually takes a few weeks, although some symptoms may improve during the first week of treatment. It may take 4 or more weeks to experience the full benefits of treatment with PROZAC. Be sure to discuss how you are feeling with your doctor throughout your treatment.

You should know that the recommended length of treatment with an antidepressant is 6 to 12 months, because one of the long-term goals of treatment is to keep depression from troubling you again.

If you are prescribed PROZAC for the treatment of depression, your doctor will monitor your progress and work with you to determine the appropriate length of your treatment.



# I have been taking PROZAC for a while now and am feeling much better. How long will I have to keep taking it?

The recommended length of treatment with an antidepressant, including PROZAC, is 6 to 12 months. One of the long-term goals of treatment is to keep depression from troubling you again. You should continue as your doctor advises.

During the course of your treatment, your doctor will monitor your progress and work with you to determine the appropriate length of your treatment.



# How do I get help for clinical depression?

The first step is to talk with your doctor. Explain the symptoms you've been experiencing. The doctor may recommend a physical checkup to determine whether there is an underlying physical reason for your symptoms of depression. If depression is diagnosed, your physician may make a referral to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor. Only your doctor or a psychiatrist can prescribe medicine for your depression. The other mental health professionals who are not physicians can provide psychotherapy (talk therapy) and they often work with a physician to make sure their patients receive medications if they need them.
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Mahalo has a great search result for prozac that links to many high-quality articles: http://www.mahalo.com/Prozac

That would be a great place to start your research, but of course the best place to go is to a professional--or three! Second and third opinions--in my opinion--are critical for making medical decisions.

Sorry, I've never taken prozac but in the 90s in New York City it seemed like everyone in their 20's was on some kind of antidepressant. One time at dinner with five people three of them were on prozac and forth was on another drug for anxiety. I felt kind of bad that I wasn't on something!
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PROZAC is one of the the world's most widely prescribed antidepressants; it has been prescribed to more than 54 million people worldwide. Additionally, PROZAC is one of the most thoroughly studied medicines.
Source(s):
Prozac.com

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I will give the best advice on prozac, if end up on it......never ever ever take yourself off it without going through a very specific routine with your doctor, many people feel normal on prozac and decide they are okay and take themselves off it, and go into an extremely deep depression and try to commit suicide, taking yourself off meds is a very serious thing.
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By *far* the most complete and reliable information I've found on any psychiatric medication has come from Crazy Meds (http://www.crazymeds.us/) Not only do they offer links to all the medical references, but also some excellent real-life information.

Their page for Prozac is at http://www.crazymeds.us/prozac.html
and their page for the generic version of Prozac (fluoxetine) is at http://www.crazymeds.us/prozac.html
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