A Complete Look at Prozac’s Uses and Side Effects

The drug fluoxetine is sold under the brand name Prozac. ⁽¹⁾ 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 ⁽²⁾. This drug is still popular, even with newer options like sertraline ⁽³⁾ and citalopram. Doctors prescribe Prozac to people with a variety of illnesses, including sadness and anxiety conditions.

There are some bad effects that come with taking Prozac, though. This article will cover the drug’s uses, effects, and safety tips.

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 ⁽⁴⁾, but now it’s often suggested to help with several other conditions as well. It helps get rid of the signs of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder ⁽⁵⁾ 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 ⁽⁶⁾
• Disorders of Panic ⁽⁷⁾
• Problems with eating (Bulimia Nervosa ⁽⁸⁾)
• Mood Disorders ⁽⁹⁾ Before Period (PMDD)
• Depression that doesn’t respond to treatment
• OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder ⁽¹⁰⁾.

Off-label, Prozac frequently treats the following conditions:

• People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder ⁽¹¹⁾.
• SAD stands for social anxiety disorder. ⁽¹²⁾
• 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 ⁽¹³⁾, 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 ⁽¹⁴⁾ 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 improve depressed symptoms. 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 or two weeks. These include sleep, hunger, and energy levels that change all the time.

Dosages that are often prescribed

Consider the patient’s age, medical history, and the illness they are treating when determining the optimal dose. Most people with depression take between 10 and 20 milligrams (mg) orally once a day in the morning. If the symptoms don’t go away after a few weeks, the dose may be raised. Most individuals require a daily dose of 20 mg to 60 mg, with a daily maximum of 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

Despite its effectiveness, fluoxetine has unavoidable side effects ⁽¹⁵⁾. It can occasionally result in serious side effects ⁽¹⁶⁾ in addition to frequent and minor ones.

Black Box Alert

Black Box Alert A 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 instruction 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 ⁽²⁰⁾ 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 ⁽²¹⁾. 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 ⁽²²⁾. 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.
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking fluoxetine, please contact your doctor promptly. If fluoxetine is used during the latter few months of pregnancy, the unborn child may suffer as a result.

In summary

Prozac is a great drug for anxiety and depression, but it has some side effects ⁽²³⁾ that must be considered. If any of these adverse effects occur, medical attention may be necessary.