US Brand NamesProzac
Prozac Weekly
Rapiflux
Sarafem
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Canadian Brand NamesPhl-Fluoxetine
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Description
Fluoxetine is used to treat mental depression. It is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and panic disorder .
Fluoxetine also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Fluoxetine belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are thought to work by increasing the activity of a chemical called serotonin in the brain.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, fluoxetine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Premature ejaculation
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Syrup
Capsule, Delayed Release
Tablet
Solution
Capsule
rozac Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Prozac® (fluoxetine hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes the antidepressant will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug well. When Prozac side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Prozac. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Prozac side effects with you.)
Common Prozac Side Effects
Prozac has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials in which the side effects seen with a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In clinical studies, the most common side effects of Prozac included:
Insomnia -- in up to 33 of people (see Prozac and Insomnia)
Nausea -- up to 29 percent
Weakness -- up to 21 percent
Headache -- up to 21 percent
Diarrhea -- up to 18 percent
Loss of appetite -- up to 17 percent (see Prozac and Weight Loss)
Drowsiness -- up to 17 percent
Anxiety -- up to 15 percent
Nervousness -- up to 14 percent
Shakiness (tremor) -- up to 13 percent
Dry mouth -- up to 12 percent (see Prozac and Dry Mouth)
Decreased sex drive -- up to 11 percent (see Prozac Sexual Side Effects)
Yawning -- up to 11 percent
Indigestion -- up to 10 percent
Dizziness -- up to 9 percent
Sweating -- up to 8 percent
Impotence -- up to 7 percent (see Prozac Sexual Side Effects)
Ejaculation problems -- up to 7 percent (see Fluoxetine and Premature Ejaculation).
What Is Prozac Used For? -- An Overview
Prozac® (fluoxetine hydrochloride) has been licensed to treat a number of conditions. These Prozac uses include treatment for:
Depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Bulimia
Panic disorder.
Sarafem®, a brand-name medication that contains the exact same medication as Prozac, is licenced to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but Prozac and generic forms of Prozac are not approved for this use.
Prozac Use for Depression
Depression is more than just "feeling sad." Common symptoms of depression may include:
Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not enough)
Eating too much or too little (and weight gain or weight loss)
Having little interest in things that you used to enjoy
Physical pain
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Suicidal thoughts.
Prozac has been proven in large clinical trials to help children, teens, and adults with depression. However, keep in mind that many antidepressants (including Prozac) take several weeks to begin working. Sometimes, other people will notice an improvement in your depression symptoms before you do. Often, the physical symptoms of depression (such as pain or changes in sleep) will improve first, sometimes within the first few weeks of treatment. It usually takes at least four to six weeks before significant changes in mood occur. It is important to give Prozac a chance to work before becoming discouraged.
Counseling and therapy (see Psychotherapy for Depression) are often used along with antidepressant medications to treat depression. Ask your healthcare provider if counseling or therapy would be good options for you
