Comment
Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant medication commonly sold under the brand name Prozac that’s useful in treating mood disorders, bulimia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among others. As with any drug, there are risks associated with taking fluoxetine, including headaches, dry mouth, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.[1] Brand names Uses Action Dosage Half-life Side effects Precautions Interactions Storage Overdose FAQs Fluoxetine brand namesFluoxetine is more commonly known by its brand name, Prozac. Other names include Prozac Weekly, Sarafem, Rapiflux, and Selfemra. The primary difference between these versions of fluoxetine is their dosage level.For example, Prozac comes in 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg capsules. Prozac Weekly comes in 90mg delayed-release capsules. Sarafem is available in 10mg and 20mg tablets. Fluoxetine is available in generic form, too. Capsules (10mg, 20mg, or 40mg), delayed-release capsules (90mg), tablets (10mg, 20mg, or 60mg), and liquid (20mg) are available.[1]What is fluoxetine prescribed for?Though fluoxetine is traditionally associated with treating depression, its uses go far beyond that. Below is a short list of the primary conditions for which it’s prescribed and a few less-common uses.Depressive disorders – Fluoxetine is commonly prescribed for treating depressive disorders, including major depression. It increases serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve mood.[2]Obsessive-compulsive disorder – Fluoxetine is effective in reducing obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (the need to perform specific behaviors) in OCD. Fluoxetine can reduce these symptoms by 40-60 percent.[3]Panic attacks – Panic attacks are a hallmark symptom of panic disorder. Studies show that 20mg of fluoxetine reduces the frequency of attacks while also elevating mood.[4]Bulimia nervosa – Fluoxetine (60mg) reduces two common symptoms – binge eating and vomiting – in the first few weeks of treating bulimia. Long-term usage of Prozac results in a 50 percent reduction in binge eating and vomiting.[5] Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – Premenstrual dysphoric disoder is characterized by tension, irritability, and depression in the days before menstruation. These symptoms typically end at the onset of menstruation. Fluoxetine helps manage these symptoms.[1]Less commonly, Prozac is a treatment for the following:Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Binge eating disorderBody dysmorphic disorderSocial anxiety disorderIt should be noted that Prozac is not approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the mental health conditions listed above.[1] Therefore, it’s considered an off-label treatment, although this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe. You and your doctor should thoroughly discuss the decision to prescribe Prozac for these conditions.How does Prozac work?Prozac works by inhibiting serotonin reuptake in the brain (thus, it’s a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI). Prozac and other SSRIs help elevate mood, improve sleep, and regulate emotions by preventing serotonin reuptake.[6]Prozac’s effect is not immediate, though. Typically it takes one to two weeks before you begin to feel the physical effects of the
Add Comment