Prozac
Prozac is the brand name for an antidepressant called fluoxetine. It is in the class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). This medication is mainly prescribed to treat several different kinds of disorders. Your doctor may prescribe Prozac for any of the following:
Often times, you will have to try several different antidepressants before the doctor finds the best one to suit your needs. As uncomfortable as that may be, the best thing for you to do is keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctor. Let him know exactly how the medication makes you feel so that he can correctly diagnose and treat your disorder. In some cases, the doctor will have you discontinue one type of antidepressant for several weeks before trying another type. Some of the side effects of antidepressants can be very scary. It is imperative that regardless of how extreme the feelings that you may have are, you need to communicate this with the physician. One possible side effects of taking fluoxetine or other antidepressants are thoughts of suicide. It is rare, but not uncommon, so don’t be afraid to express those thoughts with the professional. He may need to adjust the dose for you or perform some other testing. Some additional side effects you may want to be aware of are:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Flu symptoms, for example; sore throat, headache, runny nose
- Decreased sex drive
- Weight gain or loss
- Weakness
- Dizziness
Some more serious side effects will need immediate attention:
- Skin rash
- Panic attacks
- Increased depression
- Irritability
- Aggressiveness
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Seizures
Before taking fluoxetine, you should also let your doctor know about any other medications you may be taking or conditions you may have. You may not think they might make a difference in the situation, but some combinations can be deadly. Here are some examples:
- Liver disease
- Epilepsy
- Kidney disease
- Drug abuse
- Suicidal thoughts
- Diabetes
Or certain medications can be dangerous, for example:
- Blood thinners
- Seizure medications
- Xanax
- Flecainide
- Clozapine
Even if you are taking vitamins, minerals or other supplements, you will want to let your doctor know before taking fluoxetine. Fluoxetine has a tendency to make some people sleepy, so be sure not to drink alcohol or take any narcotics while you are being treated. If you are feeling sleepy, don’t drive or operate any kind of heavy machinery.
The main point here is that if you are having symptoms of depression or other disorders, your doctor wants to help you get back to a point of normality, so you can enjoy your life. Take every precaution to protect your health and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel you may be in jeopardy.