Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM
Summary:
- Fluoxetine, marketed as Prozac®, is an FDA-approved SSRI used to treat depression, OCD, and other mental health conditions.
- Fluoxetine increases serotonin levels in the brain, which can help improve your mood and reduce your symptoms if you have one of the conditions this medication is used to treat.
- The medication is generally considered effective and safe for a wide range of patients, including pregnant women and the elderly.
- Side effects can range from mild (e.g., digestive issues, strange dreams) to severe (e.g., serotonin syndrome, changes in heart rhythm).
- It’s crucial to use fluoxetine only as prescribed and talk to a qualified healthcare provider if you experience any issues.
Medication that can provide meaningful mental health support
There are many different kinds of medication for depression, as well as OCD and other mental health conditions. One commonly prescribed option is fluoxetine, which is marketed under the brand name Prozac®.
Below, we tell you more about fluoxetine—including what kind of drug it is, how it works, what benefits it can provide, and what side effects you should be aware of before talking with your healthcare provider about it. Use this information to make more informed decisions that support your long-term mental health.
What is fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine is an FDA-approved medication that can be used to treat a variety of different mental health problems. It falls into a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
How SSRIs work
SSRIs work by preventing your brain from reabsorbing too much serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that your body naturally produces. Serotonin plays a key role in regulating your mood, as well as your memory and behavior.
When you take an SSRI like fluoxetine, more serotonin is able to exist in your brain. This can help improve the symptoms of many anxiety and depression disorders.
Different problems that fluoxetine can treat
Fluoxetine is often prescribed to help with the following different mental health conditions:
- Major depressive disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Eating disorders (including bulimia and binge-eating disorder)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Bipolar depression (especially when certain other drugs have not been effective)
The benefits of fluoxetine
A lot of research has been done on fluoxetine’s effectiveness, since it’s one of the most established SSRIs. Here’s a quick summary of some key benefits that this medication has been found to have when used as directed to help treat the conditions above:
- Safe and effective for treating depression, with results starting to show up as soon as one week into treatment.
- Better safety for pregnant women or elderly people (compared to previously available medications).
- Equally as effective as other medications commonly used to treat bulimia and OCD.
Side effects of fluoxetine
Like any medication, fluoxetine can have side effects that can range from mild to severe. These side effects have the same risk for branded versions of the drug (like Prozac®) as they do for generic versions. Some of the most commonly reported side-effects of Prozac® include these:
- Strange dreams
- Sexual problems
- Digestive issues like diarrhea or nausea
- Weakness
- Dry mouth
- Flu-like symptoms
- Feeling tired or yawning more often
- Changes to your sleep habits
- Sinus infections or a sore throat
- Tremors or shaking
- Sweating more or more often
- Feeling anxious or nervous
- Hot flashes
- A rash
Rare but serious side effects
Fluoxetine can also have other side effects than the ones listed above, and some of these can have a more negative impact. These include the following:
- Changes to your blood sugar levels (which can be especially concerning if you have diabetes)
- Thoughts of suicide
- Severe allergic reactions
- An increased risk of bleeding or bruising
- Vision problems
- Manic episodes
- Changes to your appetite or weight
- Low sodium (salt) levels in your blood (especially for older users)
- Changes to the way your heart beats—this can be life-threatening
Serotonin syndrome
SSRIs (like fluoxetine) can also cause a condition called serotonin syndrome, which is serious and can be life-threatening. This condition occurs when there is too much serotonin in your brain, which can alter your mental state and affect the function of important organs like your heart.
If you are taking Prozac® and start to experience serotonin syndrome, you might begin to experience hallucinations or become highly agitated. Your muscles might also start to twitch or become too stiff, and you might feel ill.
Serotonin syndrome is rare, and it can be life-threatening. Early intervention is an important part of reducing its impact, and the first signs can be easy to miss. Contact your healthcare provider if you feel unwell when taking this medication, and be sure to use it only as prescribed.
Who should not take fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine is highly effective for many people, but it may not be right for you. Your healthcare provider may not recommend Prozac® if any of the following conditions apply to you:
- You are allergic to any of the ingredients.
- You take any medications known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These drugs are a different type of antidepressant that can interact poorly with SSRIs like fluoxetine, potentially causing serotonin syndrome. Avoid them for at least 5 weeks after stopping Prozac®, and do not start Prozac® until at least 2 weeks after you stop MAOIs (unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise).
- You are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine). This medication is sometimes used to treat schizophrenia, but may have a dangerous effect on your heart when mixed with Prozac®. Avoid this medication for at least 5 weeks once you stop taking Prozac®.
- You are taking an antipsychotic medication called Orap® (pimozide). This can cause serious heart problems when combined with Prozac®.
How to take fluoxetine
There’s some information you’ll need to know before you can get a prescription for fluoxetine and use it responsibly. We’ve put together an overview below so that you can prepare to talk with your healthcare provider about fluoxetine and know what to expect beforehand.
Getting a prescription for fluoxetine
When you talk to your healthcare provider about fluoxetine, you will have to provide some information about your health status and lifestyle. This might include answering questions about physical health problems you have or have had in the past, as well as any medication you take. The answers you provide help your provider determine whether prescribing fluoxetine will be appropriate for you.
Dosages of fluoxetine
Fluoxetine is taken by mouth, either as a pill, tablet, or serum. As Prozac®, it comes in 10mg, 20mg, or 40g dosages.
If your healthcare provider does prescribe fluoxetine to you, the dosage will depend on what condition you are taking the medication for. For OCD and major depressive disorder, the standard dosage for adults is 20mg per day or 10mg for children.
Taking this medication for other conditions or when other health factors are present may result in a prescription for different dosages, and your dosage may be adjusted depending on the results.
When to take fluoxetine
Fluoxetine is normally taken once per day, either in the morning or in the evening. Prozac® is also available as weekly capsules, which come in a 90mg dosage.
Find support for fluoxetine with Lemonaid Health
Choosing effective medication for depression is a highly personal decision that comes with a lot of questions and considerations, so it’s critical that you talk to a qualified healthcare practitioner if you are interested in fluoxetine or any other kind of antidepressant.
Lemonaid Health can help by providing virtual consultations with US-based medical professionals. With our support, you can learn more about your options for medication, find expert answers to your questions, and even get a prescription if one is clinically indicated. Learn more from our team and take steps to improve your mental health.
FAQ
How quickly can I expect results from taking Fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine can begin to show results as soon as one week into treatment, although it may take several weeks to experience the full benefits. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and continue taking the medication even if you don’t feel immediate improvements.
Can I take fluoxetine with alcohol?
The patient information for Prozac® warns against drinking alcohol while you are taking the drug. Fortunately, some research suggests that fluoxetine may actually reduce your desire to drink—so following this advice might not be too difficult.
Prozac® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
