Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) is an antidepressant that is in a class of drugs named serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Prozac is often combined with Zyprexa to treat depression caused by bipolar disorder. This combination is also used to treat depression after at least two other drugs have failed to help symptoms. In addition to Prozac, fluoxetine is also sold under the names Rapiflux or Sarafem, or as a generic medication. It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and panic disorder. It may also be prescribed for other purposes.http://www.drugs.com/prozac.html

SSRIs help to restore the balance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin. Prozac may help restore your interest in daily living and help to improve your sleep, mood, appetite, and energy level. Prozac is known to decrease unreasonable fears and anxiety, obsessions and compulsions, the severity and number of panic attacks, premenstrual symptoms like depression, irritability, and increased appetite. It also helps lessen bulimia’s bingeingand purging behaviors.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx

Unlikely but serious side effects:

1. Severe or unusual mood/mental changes (agitation, suicidal thoughts, high energy)
2. Uncontrolled movements (lips/tongue)
3. Tremor (shakiness)
4. Restlessness
5. Inability to keep still
6. Decreased interest in sex or changes in sexual ability
7. Blurred vision
8. Tingling/numbness

Rare but serious side effects:

1. Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
2. Easy bruising/bleeding
3. Bloody, black or tarry stools
4. Fast or irregular heartbeat
5. Muscle spasms or weakness
6. Seizures
7. Change in amount of urine

Other serious symptoms in addition to the above:

1. Severe peeling, blistering and red skin rash;
2. Rigid muscles;
3. Overactive reflexes;
4. Headache, memory problems, confusion, inability to concentrate, fainting, hallucinations, seizures, shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.http://www.drugs.com/prozac.html

Serotonin Syndrome can occur when migraine drugs, certain antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs) or obesity drugs are taken with Prozac. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of those medications. If you have hallucinations, unusual restlessness, lack of coordination, rapid heartbeat, unexplained fever, severe dizziness, severe nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, twitchy muscles seek emergency help.

Sometimes males may have a prolonged or painful erection which lasts for four or more hours. Stop taking Prozac and seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems could occur.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx

Common symptoms:

Dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, sweating, or yawning may occur. If any of these symptoms continue or worsen, tell your doctor immediately.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx Other symptoms are: Cold symptoms like stuffy nose, sneezing or sore throat, constipation, weight changes, and dry mouth.http://www.drugs.com/prozac.html Abnormal dreams, abnormal vision, diarrhea, diminished sex drive, dizziness, flushing, gas, headache, impotence, insomnia, itching, loss of appetite, nervousness, rash, sinusitis, sleepiness, tremors, upset stomach, or vomiting may also occur.http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/pro1362_2.htm

Your doctor prescribed Prozac because he or she judged that the benefits outweighed the risks of the side effects. Many people taking Prozac do not have serious side effects.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx

Cautions:

Do not use Prozac if you are using any of the following drugs as they can cause serious and sometimes fatal reactions:

1. Orap (pimozide);
2. Mellaril (thioridazine); or
3. MAO inhibitors such as Marplan (isocarboxazid), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Nardil (phenelzine), Azilect (rasagiline), or Eldepryl or Emsam (selegiline). If you are taking an MAO you must wait 14 days after stopping it before you begin taking Prozac, and five weeks after stopping an MAOI like Mellaril before you begin taking Prozac.

Be sure to let your doctor know if you have any of the following conditions because you may not be able to take Prozac, or require an adjustment in your dosage or special tests:

1. cirrhosis of the liver;
2. kidney disease;
3. diabetes;
4. epilepsy or seizures;
5. bipolar disorder;
6. a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.http://www.drugs.com/prozac.html
7. low sodium in the blood
8. dehydration
9. stomach/intestinal ulcers http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx

It is important for your caregivers or your family to watch for mood changes or changes in symptoms. It is important to be monitored at regular intervals by your doctor for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment with Prozac.

Prozac is considered an FDA Category C drug for pregnant women. It can cause serious life-threatening lung problems in newborns whose mothers have been taking the drug during pregnancy. Stopping Prozac during pregnancy can cause a relapse of depression, so be sure to contact your doctor before stopping the medication. Prozac can also pass to the newborn infant through breastfeeding. Do not breast feed without telling your doctor.

Do not give Prozac to anyone younger than 18 years old without consulting a doctor.http://www.drugs.com/prozac.html

Your blood sugar levels can be affected by Prozac. Be sure to monitor you blood sugar regularly and report the results to your doctor. Your medication may need to be adjusted, along with your diet and exercise when starting or stopping Prozac. Liquid Prozac may contain sugar and alcohol.

The elderly may be more sensitive to drugs so caution should be taken when they are taking Prozac. They may lose too much salt (hypoatremia) if they are taking diuretics with Prozac.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx

Unless your doctor tells you to, if you are recovering from a heart attack, or if you have liver disease or diabetes, do not take Prozac.http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/pro1362_3.htm

Drug Interactions:

Be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking medications for pain, fever, swelling or arthritis. Some of these drugs are aspirin, buprofen, Advil, Motrin, naproxen, Aleve, Naprosyn, Voltaren, Feldene, Relafen, and Lodine. Taking these drugs in combination with Prozac can cause you to bleed or bruise easily.

If you take any drugs that cause sleepiness such as allergy or cold medications, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, or drugs for seizures or anxiety, they can increase the sleepiness caused by Prozac. Other medications you need to tell your doctor about are:

1. Xanax (alprazolam);
2. Plavix (clopidogrel);
3. Clozaril, Fazaclo (clozapine);
4. Tambocor (flecainide);
5. Haldol (haloperidol);
6. Dilantin (phenytoin) or Tegretol (carbamazepine) for seizures;
7. L-tryptophan;
8. Velban (vinblastine);
9. Coumadin (blood thinner);
10. Axert, Frova, Imitrex, Amerge, Maxalt, or Zomig; or
11. other antidepressants such as Elavil, Lexapro, Tofranil, or Zoloft.http://www.drugs.com/prozac.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGEme6OpZrU

This is an interesting video that discusses the increase in suicides in people who take Prozac or other antidepressants. The difference between ordinary suicides and antidepressant suicides is the violence and the obsession with killing themselves. It is estimated that 1 in 100 users hang themselves, and 1 in 1000 kill themselves. Individuals have also murdered others and then killed themselves while on antidepressants. It also discusses the drug companies and their investigation tactics and paying off individuals secretly to not expose the drug. The drug companies state that taking antidepressants is good for our health in the long run, but there is no proof that people who take antipressants have better lives in the long term.

It is important for you to take Prozac regularly as prescribed. Do not take more medication or take it longer than recommended. Follow the instructions on the label.

Prozac may be taken with or without food.

It may be necessary to change your dosage occasionally to get the full benefits of Prozac.

Swallow the pill whole. Breaking, chewing or opening an extended-release capsule causes too much of the medication to be released into your body at one time.

If you are taking the liquid form of Prozac, be sure to get a spoon that measures dosage from your pharmacist. Do not use a tablespoon. It can take up to four weeks or longer before you start feeling better.

Stopping Prozac suddenly may cause you do have unpleasant side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you stop the medication.

The usual dosage of Prozac for premenstrual dysphoric disorder is once daily for fourteen days before your period and each day of your period.

Store Prozac at room temperature and keep it away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose of Prozac, take it as soon as you remember. If it is too close for your next regular scheduled dose, skip it and continue as scheduled. Do not double dose to make up for the missed one.

If you suspect you have taken too much medication see emergency medical attention. Symptoms of overdose are vomiting, nausea, fever, sleepiness, confusion, fainting, rapid or uneven heartbeat, coma, or seizures.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Prozac as it can increase the side effects.

Do not drive or operate machinery until you see how Prozac affects you.http://www.drugs.com/prozac.html

Do not discard Prozac down the drain or flush down the toilet. Discard them safely.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx

Recommended Dosages:

Depression

Adults 20 mg/day in morning (can be increased by 20 mg to 80 mg/day taken twice daily) Children (8 and over) - 10 to 20 mg/day (max 20 mg/day, if underweight 10 mg/day max Prozac Weekly – wait 7 days after taking Prozac before starting Prozac Weekly which is 90 mg/wk

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (may take 5 weeks before effective)

Adults 20 mg/day in morning (can be increased by 20 mg to 80 mg/day taken twice daily) Children (7 and older) – 10 mg/day, after 2 weeks 20 mg/day, max 60 mg/day, underweight 30/mg day

Bulimia

Adults 60 mg/day in morning (can be started lower and increased)

Panic Disorder

Adults – 10 mg/day increased to 20 mg/day after one week (max 60 mg/day)

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Adults 20 mg/day (max 80 mg/day)

Dosage Adjustment

Dosage may have to be lower if you are elderly, taking other medications, or have liver diseasehttp://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/pro1362_5.htm

There are many drugs that may have a serious interaction with Prozac. Be sure to consult your doctor and pharmacist to make sure none of the drugs, over-the-counter medications, or herbal remedies you are taking interact with Prozac.

If you experience a rash, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or have shallow breathing or difficulty breathing, seek emergency help immediately.

Do not drink alcohol when taking Prozac as it could increase the intensity of the side effects.

Suicidal thoughts or attempts can occur from taking Prozac, especially in individuals under 24 years of age. Individuals on Prozac should be monitored for changes in moods or symptoms by their family or caregivers.

Do not stop taking Prozac suddenly as unpleasant side effects could occur.

The content on this page is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with a qualified heath care professional to ensure that you have the most accurate information regarding any medications.

Even though antidepressants are used to treat depression, mood or mental disorders, and to lessen suicidal thoughts or attempts, they may instead increase these same problems in individuals younger than 24. It is important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking antidepressants even if it is not for a mood or mental condition.

When starting an antidepressant it is important to watch for certain conditions and report them immediately to your doctor. The following can occur when a new drug is started or the dosage is changed: worsening depression or other psychiatric conditions, suicidal thoughts or attempts, increased anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, hostile or angry feelings, irritability, severe restlessness, very rapid speech, and impulsive actions.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx