Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) is an antidepressant manufactured by Eli Lilly. Prozac is in a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is prescribed for depression, but it is also prescribed for other mental disorders.
Function
Prozac works by helping to balance brain chemicals that cause conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Uses
Prozac is prescribed for the treatment of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder and treatment resistant depression disorder. Prozac, given in combination with the drug Zyprexa, is used to treat depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder.
Considerations
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Prozac in children older than 8 years old for the treatment of depression. Prozac is also approved for the use in children older than 7 years old for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.
Side Effects
Common side effects include headaches, nausea, diarrhea and insomnia. Other common side effects are agitation and sweating.
Severe Side Effects
Serotonin syndrome, which is developing symptoms of agitation, hallucination, coordination problems and racing heart, is a severe side effect of taking Prozac. Severe allergic reactions such as developing a rash, hives, facial swelling, fever and trouble breathing can also happen in severe cases.
Warning
You should not take Prozac if you take or have recently stopped taking a monoamine oxidose inhibitor (MAOI). You should not take Prozac if you take Thioridazine or Pimozide.
Tags: children older, children older than, compulsive disorder, obsessive compulsive, obsessive compulsive disorder, older than, older than years