Generic Prozac - fluoxetine - is an antidepressant medication originally approved by the FDA in 1987 and currently available for the treatment of  panic disorder, including panic associated with agoraphobia (a severe fear of being in crowds or public places). People with panic disorder usually suffer from panic attacks-feelings of intense fear that develop suddenly, often for no reason. Various symptoms occur during the attacks, including a rapid or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. Prozac can be used to treat major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.


 

FAQ

How does Prozac work?
Prozac is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) family, as are Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil (paroxetine). Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or mood disturbances, eating disorders, or obsessive or compulsive symptoms. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters. Many experts believe that an imbalance in these neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. Fluoxetine is believed to work by inhibiting the release or affects the action of serotonin. Fluoxetine does not have MAO activity.

How to use Prozac
The medication is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia nervosa. For the treatment of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a dose of 20 mg/day of Prozac medication for depression, taken in the morning, is recommended as the initial dose. A dose increase may be considered after several weeks if insufficient clinical improvement occurs. The maximum medication for depression dose should not exceed 80 mg/day. For the treatment of bulimia nervosa, the recommended dose of fluoxetine is 60 mg/day, taken in the morning.

Prozac side effects
Fluoxetine as with most antidepressants can cause nausea, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Fluoxetine has been implicated in serious skin rashes and vasculitis. Increased blood pressure can occur and should be monitored. Seizures have been reported. Life-threatening interactions can occur in combination with MAO inhibitors, such as nardil and parnate. MAO inhibitors and Prozac should not be taken together and a waiting period of 14 days between taking these two classes of medications is strongly advised.

Withdrawal: If antidepressants are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, taste, etc. (Such symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.) Therefore, it is recommended that the dose of Prozac be reduced gradually when therapy is discontinued.

Prozac and pregnancy
Prozac is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether fluoxetine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Prozac without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Prozac passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take the drug without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.