Advanced Search | Join Now | Sign In
  Reviews Index | Register Now to Add Your Ratings and Reviews! | Forums   

Reviews Index » Medications « Previous Item · Next Item »

Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Overall Rating
spacerspacer
4.32
Rating:

4.32
Side Effects
spacerspacer
3.88
Pricing
spacerspacer
6.42
Average Price: $5.98 Thumbs up Recommended By
59% of reviewers (of 22 reviews)
Ads by HealthPricer
advertisement




Fluoxetine

Generic Name: Fluoxetine floo-OX-e-teen

Drug Class: Antidepressant, SSRI

 

Contents

 

Description
This medicine is used to treat depression or anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other conditions as well.
Top of page 

General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. 

Top of page

Proper use of this medicine
This medicine should be taken about the same time every day, morning or evening and can be taken with or without food. This medicine may take up to 4 weeks to reach full effect, but you may see symptoms of depression improving in as little as 1-2 weeks.
Top of page

Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
Top of page

Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
Top of page

Possible Side Effects
    • dry mouth
    • tremor or muscle spasms
    • nervousness
    • trouble sleeping
    • headache, drowsiness
    • nausea
    • drowsiness
    • insomnia
    • headache
    • increased sweating
    • dizziness, lightheadedness
    • changes in sexual function
    • Unreported side effects are possible, talk to your healthcare provider if any other symptoms occur.
Top of page

Warnings/Precautions
    • This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
    • Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
    • Smoking cigarettes can decrease the effectiveness of this medicine.
    • If you are planning to have surgery, let your doctor know.
    • Do NOT take this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] in the last two weeks.
    • This medicine can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some children and teens. Parents of children taking antidepressants should watch for signs of worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior.
Top of page

Overdose
Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
Top of page

Drug Interactions
    • If you are taking a tricyclic antidepressant, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
    • St. John’s Wort should be avoided while taking this medicine due to the additive effects of serotonin.
    • Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
      • blood thinners (Coumadin)
      • other antidepressants
      • metoprolol
      • antihistamines
      • carbamazepine (Tegretol)
      • cimetidine (Tagamet)
      • estrogens
      • fluoxetine (Prozac)
      • intraconazole (Sporanox)
      • ketoconazole (Nizoral)
      • levodopa
      • lithium
      • muscle relaxants
      • birth control pills
      • sleeping pills
      • thyroid medications
    • Do not take this medicine with thioridizine, or within 5 weeks of taking this medicine.
    • Caution should be exercised when taking this medicine certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycin.
    • If you are taking medications for migraines such as Imitrex, talk to your doctor before starting this medicine.
    • This medicine should not be taken with MAO inhibitors. If you think you are taking an MAO inhibitor talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Top of page

Pregnancy/Nursing
If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss the benefits versus the risks of using this medicine while pregnant. Because this medicine is excreted in the breast milk, nursing mothers should not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
Top of page

More Information

Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially children/teenages) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication, even if the treatment is not for a mental condition. Tell your doctor immediatley if you notice worsening depression, unusual behavior changes, (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes. Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.
Top of page

Copyright 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com
This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.



Last reviewed:

  On 8 Aug 2006

  By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

 

prozac

Ads by HealthPricer



Author
Post a Reply 
myself
Grand Magnate


Registered: July 2005
Posts: 3291
Review Date: Tue September 12, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): none that I experienced
Negative aspects of this (cons): too many for me

this drug is otherwise known as prozac. I recieved this drug back when it was first coming on the market and not much was known about it. I became even more unstable on it to the point where even now I have no memory of what I did while on it. All I do know is that I remember seeing colored blips in front of my eyes which turned out to be that all I did at work while on this medication was play donkey kong on the office computer. When I answered the phone during my time on duty at this college where I worked I basically in not so clean language told the caller I didn't work there and to leave me alone and never call again. I have also been told I was constantly experiencing hot flashes and cold flashes for I was either stripping my clothes in the college lounge or was taking everyone elses spare clothing because I was freezing.

I had a roommate at one point after I had been off it for a year and she experienced an increase in the need to burn herself with a glue gun and one night told me she was gonig to kill herself and was extremely serious and activated about it so I had to go to a neighbors house and call the police while another friend kept her on the phone.

I now know I have DID so looking at all this it tells me that if a person has DID and are put on this medication I highly recommend VERY close monitoring by the prescribing physician and the client being prescribed this medication should attend many med checks while starting on the medication so that if it cases more dissociative problems the medication can be adjusted or discontinued.

I am leaving the yes on for recommendation because one persons flop medication can be another persons miracle drug. So I don't feel its up to me to recommed or not a drug.

for me this drug was a disaster but I do have some friends that have had good luck with it.

Click here to see this users profile  
jennie
Grand Poohbah


Registered: December 2002
Posts: 1932
Review Date: Wed September 13, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros):
Negative aspects of this (cons): migraines

After having difficulties with another SSRI, my psychiatrist switched me to this medication. I had to stop this med because it caused debiliating migraines which prevented me from working my job for a week.
Click here to see this users profileVisit the user's homepage  
eskielover
Magnate


Registered: October 2004
Posts: 2435
Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 2 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros):
Negative aspects of this (cons): anxiety attacks worse, increased depression, loss of appetite, suicidal

fluoxetine goes also under brand name of prozac. The use of this as prozac pushed my weight loss to a dangerously low level which required medical treatment. It also caused my anxiety & depression levels to increase & even ended I reaulted in having several suicidal attempts during its use.
Click here to see this users profile  
darkeyes
Wise Elder

Registered: May 2001
Posts: 9597
Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 6 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): helped reduce some depression and the fatigue from depression
Negative aspects of this (cons): started to poop out,losing emotion,and started with "brain zaps"

Because of being wrongly DXed,I cannot say the antidepressants used today (SSRI's) do not work well,but I did get some reduction in my depression.
Click here to see this users profile  
Suzy5654
Grand Member

Registered: May 2006
Posts: 947
Review Date: Sun September 24, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 5 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): took care of depression
Negative aspects of this (cons): pushed me into a hypo manic state, stopped working after about 6 weeks& had to keep increasing dosage

Since I wasn't diagnosed with bipolar at the time I was on this, it was used alone with no mood stabilizer & it pushed me into a hypo manic state which I really enjoyed after being so depressed for so long.
Click here to see this users profile  
endless_hysteria
New Member


Registered: October 2006
Posts: 5
Review Date: Thu October 5, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 2 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): none
Negative aspects of this (cons): gave me acid reflux

It not only didn't work on me, but it gave me acid reflux and made me very ill for 6 months
Click here to see this users profile  
AlteredState01
Poohbah


Registered: October 2006
Posts: 1059
Review Date: Tue October 10, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 5 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): Keeps me from spiralling into deep depressive states.
Negative aspects of this (cons): Not so easy to take oneself off this medication if used for long periods.

Only medication that hasn't created problems with side effects, other than, well, killing what's left of my sexual desires. Didn't gain weight, though!!

Have been taking this med for over 15 years and at various dosages. Now taking minimum dosage (10 mgs)daily.

Side effects are difficult to deal with when trying to ween off this medication (with proper supervision, of course). I experienced weird head rushes, dizziness, moodiness. Felt myself destablizing very quickly (even before weening process completed) and began treatment again at my regular dosage. Have not tried again since (5 years). Too scared to, really.

Click here to see this users profile  
URIIADDIVME
Member

Registered: September 2006
Posts: 40
Review Date: Mon December 18, 2006 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros):
Negative aspects of this (cons): tremor, nausea, constant vomiting, extremely painful hemorroids, dizzyness sleep disturbance

I spent three months in severe discomfort. Discontinuing treatment returned me to a tolerable experience.
Click here to see this users profile  
mama2ak
Visitor


Registered: December 2006
Posts: 14
Review Date: Sat December 30, 2006 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 8 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): Price, low side effects
Negative aspects of this (cons): Build up a tolerance

The price is right, the side effects are low, but I didn't feel like it worked as effectively as Paxil or Celexa.
Click here to see this users profile  
pinacolada
Visitor

Registered: February 2007
Posts: 4
Review Date: Sat February 24, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 6 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): less frustrated, depression not prevalent constantly, confidence boost, creative imagination inspired
Negative aspects of this (cons): somewhat more suicidal during difficulties, do not recall much while on medication, impulsiveness

The first year of taking it really improved my self esttem and sparked my creative outlet intrest, however out of nowhere I would either feel compelled to give into impulse without hessitation. This can be dangerous. and crying jags would come on out of nowhere. Then it was if after a period of time i felt as though Life was some dream state and felt apathetic. however i do rember if only used for a short period it was signigant in helping me cope with the most unstable part of my life.
Click here to see this users profile  
boomslang
Member

Registered: February 2007
Posts: 20
Review Date: Wed February 28, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): none
Negative aspects of this (cons): sent me into a wild manic episode that almost got me killed and threw me out of college, though I was misdiagnosed as Unipolar when I am actually Bipolar

I was diagnosed with Unipolar Depression, Tourette's syndrome, ADHD, OCD. I was put on this and Strattera. I collapsed from a horrible manic episode as a Junior in college and was afterwards diagnosed with Bipolar I, along with the other diagnoses.

DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE BIPOLAR

IF YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED UNIPOLAR AND ARE HAVING MANIC SYMPTOMS TELL YOUR DOCTOR ASAP

Click here to see this users profile  
bunnies
Magnate


Registered: November 2004
Posts: 2568
Review Date: Sun March 4, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): it helped to clear my thoughts
Negative aspects of this (cons): nausea, no sleep

it did what it was prescribed to do which was to clear my head a little to enable me to think clearer
Click here to see this users profile  
loupopeye22
Visitor

Registered: March 2007
Posts: 10
Review Date: Fri March 23, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): can't think of any
Negative aspects of this (cons): lots

Prozac was the first medication given when I was severe depressive illness, off work for more than 7 months. During that time, I was from the lowest ebb to the highest energy which had causing havoc in my family. I threw all the stuff and cleaned in the kitchen vigorously until I calmed down as if nothing had happened in the house. My sisters and my grandmother had kept asking where their stuff were. I vaguely remembered and felt remorsely guilty about it. Went back to my doctor and had decided to stop the meds and changed to doxepin.
Click here to see this users profile  
DePressMe
Magnate


Registered: March 2007
Posts: 2020
Review Date: Thu April 26, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: $0.75| Rating: 2 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): None
Negative aspects of this (cons): Did not help my depression and it caused some sexual dysfunction.

This medication did not help my depression. It did cause sexualy dysfunction, so I stopped taking it.
Click here to see this users profile  
jimmyjetta
Visitor

Registered: May 2007
Posts: 8
Review Date: Sun May 13, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 6 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): it works
Negative aspects of this (cons): sexual side effects

Antidepressant properties are solid. It works well.

I generally only get one side effect from antidepressants: no matter which one it is, if it demonstrates even the smallest possibility of causing sexual side effects then I'm going to be the person who has problems with it.

Catch 22.

Click here to see this users profile  
nibbanalice
Visitor

Registered: May 2007
Posts: 10
Review Date: Thu May 24, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): nothing positive
Negative aspects of this (cons): very bad

Did not help me at all. I got sick. kept me in bed. Brain stopped functioning.
I hated it.
Click here to see this users profile  
EnigmaCat
Visitor


Registered: March 2007
Posts: 2
Review Date: Wed June 6, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: $0.13| Rating: 10 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): helped fight depression. reduced OCD symptoms. got rid of mental fog and daily stress headaches.
Negative aspects of this (cons): metalic taste for the first month.

fluoxetine is a miracle drug as far as I'm concerned. at 40 mgs a day, my depression has largely lifted. my anxiety has decreased some. my OCD is less obsessive and compulsive. my chronic headaches are gone, as is the brain fog. thinking doesn't physically hurt any longer. my creative drive and my interest in life have returned.
Click here to see this users profile  
sweetleaf
New Member

Registered: July 2007
Posts: 10
Review Date: Sun July 29, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 9 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): excellent 4 depression, almost no side effects
Negative aspects of this (cons): makes hypomania worse

If not for Prozac, I'd have checked myself outta here years ago. On it, my depression fades away and I live a productive life. It lowered my sex drive to a normal human level. I was misdiagnosed unipolar and now know I'm bipolar. Haven't successfully found a mood stabilizer yet to go along with the Prozac, so I'm dealing with the hypomania. My family's happier when I'm on the Prozac--I clean the house more!
Click here to see this users profile  
buzzie
Visitor

Registered: March 2006
Posts: 7
Review Date: Thu August 2, 2007 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: $5.00| Rating: 10 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): Depression
Negative aspects of this (cons): none that I know of

It has helped me big time. Helped with my depression. On 20 mg. for now. Was on clexa which was also good except for the weight gain. The weight gain made me more insecure so Prozac has helped with not gaining weight.
Click here to see this users profile  
Gianna
Visitor


Registered: October 2007
Posts: 10
Review Date: Thu October 25, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): none
Negative aspects of this (cons): gave me the worst anxiety attacks I've ever had in my life

all SSRI's are dangerous and ineffective for me
Click here to see this users profileVisit the user's homepage  
haleyshea
Visitor

Registered: December 2007
Posts: 5
Review Date: Tue December 4, 2007 Would you recommend this? No | Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): slight relief of depression
Negative aspects of this (cons): nausea, constipation, headaches

Half the time I took it I ended up throwing up. In combination with the headaches I was pretty much in constant pain.
It helped my depression a little, but the side effects were too bad and negated any help Prozac gave me. Yeah, I felt a little better, but I wanted to die everything hurt so bad.
Click here to see this users profile  
sarahmp
Visitor

Registered: September 2007
Posts: 2
Review Date: Fri January 25, 2008 Would you recommend this? Yes | Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 6 

 
Positive aspects of this (pros): makes me feel somewhat happier
Negative aspects of this (cons): side effects

Although prozac made me feel better, it also gave me extremely severe migranes. There were times when I would still consider suicide, even on the drug.
Click here to see this users profile