Prozac

Brand Names

Prozac

What is Prozac

Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) is an antidepressant that belongs to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. This prescription medication is used in the treatment of a number of conditions within the brain. Prozac is made by Eli Lilly and Company.

Side effects of Prozac

The most common side effects of Prozac include:

• nervousness
• nausea
• dry mouth
• sore throat
• drowsiness
• weakness
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• changes in sex drive or ability
• excessive sweating

The following side effects are considered to be serious:

• rash
• hives
• fever
• joint pain
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat and severe muscle stiffness
• seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
• seizures

Indication

In general, Prozac is used to treat:

• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bulimia
• Panic disorder

It also can be used in combination with Zyprexa® (olanzapine) for the following uses:

• Treatment of depression linked to bipolar disorder
• Treatment-resistant depression (depression that has not responded to treatment with at least two different antidepressants)

Precautions

It is not recommended to use Prozac if you have:

• Bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder (manic depression)
• A history of suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts
• Had a recent heart attack or if you have heart disease
• Diabetes
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Suicidal thoughts
• Liver disease including liver failure or cirrhosis
• Any allergies including allergies to food, dyes or preservatives

Dosage forms

Prozac dose for Depression or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The recommended starting Prozac dose for people with depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is 20 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase your dose if symptoms continue or decrease the dose if side effects occur. The maximum dose for these conditions is 80 mg per day. Amounts above 20 mg can be taken once a day or divided into 2 doses and taken twice a day.

Prozac Weekly, the long-acting form approved for depression, can be used to replace daily doses of 20 mg. Because the medication stays in your system for so long, the first dose of Prozac Weekly should be taken one week after stopping Prozac 20 mg daily. As you might guess, Prozac Weekly is taken once a week, on the same day each week.

Prozac Dose for Bulimia

The recommended dose for bulimia is 60 mg once a day. However, your doctor may decrease your dose in certain situations such as for elderly people or people with liver problems.