PROZAC
Generic Name: fluoxetine (flew OX e teen)
Brand Names: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem
Prozac medication for depression (fluoxetine) is an antidepressant medication originally approved by the FDA in 1987 and currently available
for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia nervosa. Prozac medication for depression has also been used off-label
(which means a use not reviewed by the FDA) to treat panic disorder. Prozac medication for depression is believed to work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin,
a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger in the brain. It is a member of the serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family, as are Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil
(paroxetine).
GENERIC PROZAC functions the same way as Prozac, but at
a lower cost. To learn more about generic Prozac, please
follow the information we have provided below.
How is Prozac different from other antidepressants?
Prozac or
generic Prozac, medication for depression, is overall as effective in relieving depression as older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
such as imipramine. However, not all antidepressants are equally effective for a specific individual.
Generic Prozac medication for depression causes fewer adverse heart-related
events (such as a drop in blood pressure or unusual rhythm) and fewer anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention) than TCAs.
And generic Prozac medication for depression is less likely to cause drowsiness or weight changes also associated with the older TCAs. A special diet is not necessary when
taking generic Prozac medication for depression, which may be the case with other antidepressants known as monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
The incidences of death resulting from an overdose of
generic Prozac have been extremely rare, which may help doctors feel more comfortable prescribing it.
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Possible side effects
The most common side effects seen in people taking
generic Prozac medication for depression include anxiety or nervousness,
insomnia, drowsiness, headache, diarrhea, and rash. In addition, sexual side effects (reduced arousal or satisfaction) may occur.
Generic Prozac medication for depression has also been
shown to cause changes in appetite and weight, usually
resulting in weight loss rather than weight gain. Most
side effects are mild and brief, usually subsiding in a
week or two after beginning treatment. Particularly
bothersome side effects can be treated with medication
or by reducing the dose of generic Prozac, changing the
time it is taken, or switching to a different antidepressant.
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Risk of suicide
Suicide is always a risk in people with severe depression, and it may persist until significant remission occurs.
However, consumers and their families must be cautious during the early stages of treatment with all antidepressants, when energy and activity may return before mood improves.
At this time - when depression is still severe but when a depressed person may have more energy to take action - the risk of suicide can temporarily increase.
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Drug interactions
Generic Prozac medication for depression should not be taken until at least two weeks after MAOIs (e.g., Nardil and Parnate) are discontinued.
Similarly, MAOIs should not be taken for at least five weeks after treatment with
generic Prozac has been discontinued.
The interaction between the two could produce fatal results. Consumers should always consult with their physicians when taking medications in addition to the prescribed antidepressant.
Alcohol consumption should always be avoided when taking prescribed medications.
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Dosage and administration
Generic Prozac medication for depression 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
generic Prozac, 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
generic Prozac dose should not exceed 80 mg/day.
For the treatment of bulimia nervosa, the recommended dose is 60 mg/day, taken in the morning.
Generic Prozac doses above 60 mg/day have not been systematically studied in people with bulimia.
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How long should I take Generic Prozac?
While there are no studies that answer the question of how long to continue
generic Prozac, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
and bulimia nervosa are usually chronic conditions, and it is reasonable to consider longer term treatment for a consumer who is responding well. After 6 months, particularly for depression,
it is reasonable to consider trying to reduce the dose to see whether symptoms return. As with other medications, discontinuing
generic Prozac medication for depression medication for depression
should be discussed with your doctor and a plan for discontinuation should be developed rather than simply stopping on your own. In clinical trials, Prozac antidepressant efficacy
has been maintained for periods of up to 38 weeks, following 12 weeks of acute treatment. For OCD and bulimia nervosa the efficacy of Prozac beyond 16 weeks has not been documented in
controlled trials. However, people have continued in therapy for up to an additional six months without loss of benefit. Dose adjustments maintain the consumer on the lowest effective dosage,
and consumers should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for continued
treatment.
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How soon after starting treatment will I feel better?
Someone starting treatment with
generic Prozac may notice some improvement, particularly in concentration and increased energy, within one week.
As with other antidepressants, it usually takes three to six weeks for the full therapeutic effect of the
generic Prozac to be felt. The medication should be taken at the prescribed dose of
generic Prozac for six full weeks before evaluating its effectiveness.
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Hope Lies in the Prozac?Scotlands Oracle, UK - Nov 20, 2008It seemed that this was one big Prozac nation, one big mess of malaise.? Elizabeth Wurtzel?s soundbite on depression has become a common idiom in recent ... |
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