Drug Description:
Prozac (fluoxetine) is an oral medication indicated for acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. It may also lessen premenstrual syndrome such as irritability, increased appetite, and mood changes.
This oral drug is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by increasing the level of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps maintain mental balance.
Directions
Read the medication or prescription guide that comes with this drug carefully before starting to take it. Follow the dosage and frequency recommended by your doctor. Prozac has 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg pulvules available. It is also available in a 90 mg weekly capsule.
The dosage prescribed is based on the patient’s medical condition or response to treatment. Doctors would usually start at a low dose and gradually increase the dose to reduce the risk of adverse effects.
Prozac is taken orally, with or without meal. If recommended once a day, you should take it in the morning. If twice, you should take it in the morning and the afternoon. Avoid taking it in the evening to prevent insomnia.
Take Prozac regularly and at the same time of the day, every day, to avoid missing a dose. If you miss your Prozac dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is only a few hours away your next scheduled dose, disregard the missed dose and go back to your regular dose.
Side Effects
Some of the most common Prozac side effects you may experience include
-nausea
-dizziness
-drowsiness
-trouble sleeping
-tiredness
-loss of appetite
-fatigue
-sweating
-yawning
These side effects are commonly mild and do not require medical attention unless they persist or worsen. Other severe adverse reactions to look out for are unusual or severe mental changes, bleeding, muscle spasm, tremors, seizure, widened pupils, and signs of kidney disease such as swelling and change in the amount of urine. Once you observe severe adverse effects, call your physician or healthcare provider right away.
Precautions
Do not take Prozac if you have a known allergy to fluoxetine or any inactive ingredients this medication may have. Signs of an allergic reaction are red patches or skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, and difficulty breathing. If you develop an allergy to this drug, discontinue immediately and contact your physician.
Talk to your physician about your current medical condition or if you have a history/family history of mental disorder, diabetes, hyponatremia (low sodium), liver problems, stomach problems, seizure, or glaucoma. Some conditions may affect how you respond to Prozac.
Combination of Prozac and alcohol could lead to increased sedation and extreme drowsiness. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages to prevent injuries, falls, or impaired judgment.
As this medication is an SSRI, watch out for serotonin syndrome. Symptoms include hypertension, increased heart rate, agitation, tremors, heavy sweating, muscle twitching, and dilated pupils. Consult your doctor if you start to develop any of these symptoms.
Remember that mental disorders and mood changes are serious problems. Take the exact dose as prescribed, and never stop taking Prozac without the advice of your physician. If you stop taking this oral medication suddenly, your condition may worsen,
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prozac effective?
Data shows that most patients respond positively to Prozac within two months. Prozac reviews also show that most users rely on this medication because it is proven safe and effective.
Can Prozac be used to manage anxiety?
Yes, it is effective to use Prozac for anxiety.
Zoloft vs Prozac – which is better?
Prozac and Zoloft are both SSRIs and are proven effective in treating depression and the likes.
Can Prozac make you gain weight?
Prozac and weight gain are not exactly correlated.
Is Prozac safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
There’s no enough data to support whether this medication is safe during pregnancy. However, clinical trials show that it could pass into the breastmilk and may cause harm to a breastfed baby.
