Review of Prozac

Prozac - What is it?

Prozac is an antidepressant among a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Prozac has an effect on brain’s chemicals that might have become unstable and result in anxiety, panic, depression or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Prozac is used in the treatment of bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depressive disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Sometimes, Prozac is used in combination with another drug known as olanzapine (Zyprexa) in the treatment of depression that is a result of bipolar disorder (manic depression). Also, this combination can be used in the treatment of depression after trying a minimum of 2 other medications and the same have been unsuccessful in treating the symptoms.

Prozac could be used for other purposes than what is mentioned in this medication guide

Prozac - Important information

Prozac should not be taken together with thioridazine (Mellaril), pimozide (Orap), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for instance isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) or rasagiline (Azilect).

Your suicidal thoughts could become more when you initially start taking an antidepressant, particularly if you are younger than 24 years. Your doctor will require checking you regularly, especially for the first 12 weeks of treatment using Prozac.

Immediate medical attention is required if you experience any new or worsening symptoms for instance, mood changes, anxiety, behavior changes, panic attacks, difficulty in sleeping, or in case you are feeling reckless, agitated, irritable, hostile, restless, violent, hyperactive (physically or mentally), have suicidal thoughts or are more depressed. SSRI antidepressants might lead to serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies where the mothers took this medication during their pregnancy. Though, you might have a relapse of depression in case you stop having your antidepressants while pregnant. In case you are planning to get pregnant or are become pregnant whilst taking Prozac, do not quit taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Prozac - Before taking it

You should not take Prozac in case you are taking any of the following medications:

* thioridazine (Mellaril);
* pimozide (Orap); or
* an MAO inhibitor for instance isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) or rasagiline (Azilect).

Serious or even critical reactions could occur in case these medicines are had along with Prozac. You have to wait for a minimum period of 14 days after stopping the use of an MAOI before you can take Prozac. Also, after quitting the use of Prozac, you should wait for a period of at least 5 weeks before you can start taking an MAOI or thioridazine (Mellaril).

Before taking Prozac, inform your doctor in case you are allergic to any drugs or have:

* kidney disease;
* cirrhosis of the liver;
* diabetes;
* bipolar disorder (manic depression);
* seizures or epilepsy; or
* a history of suicidal thoughts or drug abuse.

In case you suffer from any of these conditions, you might require a dosage adjustment or special tests to ensure Prozac is safe for you.

Your suicidal thoughts could become more when you initially start taking an antidepressant, particularly if you are younger than 24 years. Inform your doctor if the symptom of depression or having suicidal thoughts worsens in the initial weeks of treatment, or when your dosage is modified.

Your caregivers or family must also remain watchful to your mood changes and symptoms. Your doctor will require checking you regularly, especially for the first 12 weeks of treatment using Prozac.

This is categorized by the FDA as a pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants might lead to serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies where the mothers took this medication during their pregnancy. Though, you might have a relapse of depression in case you stop having your antidepressants while pregnant. In case you are planning to get pregnant or are become pregnant whilst taking Prozac, do not quit taking the medication without consulting your doctor. Prozac passes through breast milk and can cause harm to a breast-fed baby. If you are breast feeding, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor first.

This medication should not be given to a person younger than 18 years old without the recommendation of a doctor. Prozac is the only antidepressant approved by the FDA for use in children for treating depression.

Prozac - How should it be taken?

Prozac should be taken precisely as it was prescribed. Never adjust the dosage of the medication or take it for longer periods than what has been recommended by your doctor. You should follow the directions given on the prescription label.

Your doctor might occasionally modify your Prozac dosage to ensure that you derive the maximum results from this medication.

The extended-release capsule should not be chewed, broken or opened. You should swallow the pill as a whole. It is specifically made to discharge medicine gradually in the body. If the tablet is broken, it causes too much of the drug to be discharged at one time.

The liquid form of Prozac should be measured with a special dose-measuring cup or spoon and not from a regular table spoon. In case you do not have dose-measuring device, get it from your pharmacist.

It could be about 4 weeks or more before you begin to feel better. Consult your doctor if you want to stop taking Prozac suddenly. You may be required to reduce the dosage slowly before stopping the use of Prozac altogether.

For the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the normal dose of Prozac is once a day when having your period, or 14 days earlier than you anticipate your period to begin. You should follow the instructions of your doctor.

Prozac should be stored at room temperature away and kept from heat and moisture.

Prozac – Missed dose

In case you miss a dose, it can be taken immediately on remembering. But, if it nearly the time for the next dose, you can skip the missed dose and continue with the scheduled dose. You should not take an extra dose to make up the missed dosage.

In case you miss a dose of Prozac Weekly, it can be taken immediately on remembering and take the subsequent dose after 7 days. But, if it nearly the time for the next regularly scheduled weekly dose, you can skip the missed dose and take the next dose as prescribed. You should not take an extra dose to make up the missed dosage.

Prozac - Overdose

You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have taken an overdose of Prozac. The symptoms of Prozac overdose could include giddiness, seizures, sleepiness, fever, fast heartbeat, vomiting, confusion and coma.

Prozac – What to avoid when taking it?

Refrain from consuming alcohol as it can increase some of the Prozac side effects. Prozac could lead to side effects that might weaken your thinking or reactions. Be cautions in driving or engaging in any activity that requires you to stay alert and awake.

Inform your doctor of all other medication you regularly take, especially drugs that make you drowsy, for instance any cold medication, allergy medicine, sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxers, and drugs for anxiety or seizures. These medications could increase the sleep effects of Prozac.

Prozac - Side effects

You should seek immediate medical help in case you experience any of these signs of allergic reactions – difficulty in breathing; hives or rashes; swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.

Immediate medical attention is required if you experience any new or worsening symptoms for instance, mood changes, anxiety, behavior changes, panic attacks, difficulty in sleeping, or in case you are feeling reckless, agitated, irritable, hostile, restless, violent, hyperactive (physically or mentally), have suicidal thoughts or are more depressed.

Seek medical attention in case you experience any of the mentioned serious side effects from using Prozac:

* red skin rash, severe blistering and peeling of the skin;
* stiff muscles, sweating, high fever, uneven or fast heartbeats, overactive reflexes or tremors;
* nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, unsteady, decreased coordination; or
* difficulty in concentrating, headache, memory problems, confusion, weakness, hallucinations, seizure, fainting, shallow breathing.

Some of the less serious side effects of using Prozac could be:

* sleepiness, faintness, tired feeling;
* cold symptoms for instance sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat;
* dry mouth;
* lack of sleep (insomnia);
* nausea, constipation, upset stomach;
* decreased libido, impotence, or trouble having an orgasm; or
* changes in weight or appetite

There may be side effects that are not listed here. Consult your doctor if experience any side effects to seek medical advice. You could report side effects of Prozac to FDA at the number 1-800-FDA-1088.

Prozac – Other drug interactions

Inform your doctor before you take any drug for arthritis, pain, swelling or fever. It could be aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for instance naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac (Voltaren), piroxicam (Feldene), indomethacin, nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), or others. Using these medicines along with Prozac could cause bruising or bleeding.

Before taking Prozac, inform your doctor if you are taking the following drugs:

* clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo);
* alprazolam (Xanax);
* digitoxin (Crystodigin);
* haloperidol (Haldol);
* flecainide (Tambocor);
* seizure medication for instance carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin);
* vinblastine (Velban);
* tryptophan (known as L-tryptophan);
* a blood thinner slike warfarin (Coumadin);
* almotriptan (Axert), sumatriptan (Imitrex), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig) or rizatriptan (Maxalt); or
* any other antidepressant for instance amitriptyline (Elavil), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), (Tofranil), and others.

There might be other medicines that are not mentioned here that could interact with Prozac. Inform your doctor of all the prescription as well as over the counter medications you are taking, including herbal supplements, vitamins, medications prescribed by other doctors and minerals. You should not begin taking a new medication without consulting your doctor first.

Prozac – Where to get more information?

Any questions you have regarding Prozac, ask your pharmacist.

Prozac – What does it look like?

Fluoxetine is available under the brand name of Rapiflux, Prozac and Sarafem and can be obtained only with a prescription. Generic formulations and other brands may also be available. You can ask any questions regarding this medication to your pharmacist, particularly if it is new to you.