Approximately six million American adults suffer from panic disorder, reports the National Institute of Mental Health. Doctors utilize a number of different medications for the treatment of panic disorder, including the medication Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride).
Function
Prozac prevents your body from breaking down a chemical known as serotonin, which controls functions like arousal, mood, appetite, sleep and pain sensations in your body. By doing this, Prozac increases serotonin levels in your brain.
Effects
Although the exact method is not understood by doctors, the increases in serotonin levels caused by Prozac decrease symptoms of panic disorder, explains the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Indications
Prozac is not meant to treat occasional panic attacks. Rather, doctors reserve the use of the drug for patients who have frequent attacks, fixate or worry about having future attacks and avoid uncomfortable situations believing this will stop attacks, explains the Mayo Clinic.
Time Frame
For the treatment of panic disorders, doctors typically prescribe 10 to 60 mg of Prozac once per day for 12 weeks, explains the U.S. National Library of Medicine. At the end of the 12 weeks, doctors often gradually decrease the dosage to prevent sudden drops of serotonin.
Considerations
Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors rarely prescribe the drug for pregnant women. The FDA has not approved Prozac for the treatment of panic disorder in children. If you have a history of bipolar disorder, bleeding problems, low blood sodium, seizures, diabetes, heart attacks or kidney or liver disease, it may not be safe for you to take Prozac, warns the Mayo Clinic.
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