Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.
Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.
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Advocacy Public Policy Reports. Fluoxetine Prozac. Know the warning signs Learn the common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents. Mental health conditions Learn more about common mental health conditions that affect millions. Missing doses of fluoxetine may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms.
Caution is advised with breastfeeding since fluoxetine does pass into breast milk. Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider.
Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, including a history of bipolar disorder All other medications you are currently taking including over the counter products, herbal and nutritional supplements and any medication allergies you have Other non-medication treatment you are receiving, such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment.
Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication. Prozac is usually prescribed at a low dose to start, and then gradually increased to 20mg per day.
The maximum dose is 80mg a day. It is taken as a liquid or capsule and should be used as prescribed. It can take several weeks for effects to show, so it is important not to stop taking Prozac abruptly if you think it is not working. Only take the medication as prescribed by your doctor or psychiatrist. Stopping cold turkey could be dangerous and cause withdrawal symptoms.
There has been some controversy as to the safety of Prozac, due to the issuing of a safety warning by the Food and Drug Administration in about the risk for suicidal thoughts among certain groups.
Despite this warning, Prozac continues to be prescribed and can be used safely or discontinued if adverse effects develop when under the guidance of a physician. If you have concerns about the safety of taking Prozac, bring these up to your doctor.
Use of pimozide and thioridazine also increases the risk involved in taking Prozac. The result of medication interactions can be serious and potentially fatal, so you should discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor or psychiatrist to determine whether potential interactions exist.
Some side effects of Prozac are more likely than others. Some people notice that side effects lessen over time, or become less bothersome. Common side effects include:. Rare side effects include:. If you experience any of these severe side effects, be sure to notify your doctor or psychiatrist. Prozac can be passed to babies during pregnancy and through breast milk.
Consult with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing before taking Prozac, to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks. There are also some potential risks for individuals age 65 or older that should be discussed with your doctor. The safety and effectiveness of Prozac for use with children younger than 18 years of age has also not been established. Prozac should not be combined with alcohol, certain over-the-counter e.
John's Wort. Be sure to tell your doctor about everything that you are taking. Care should also be taken if using drugs that affect the central nervous system CNS , such as benzodiazepines. Use of Prozac can carry risks, including the potential for clinical worsening and in rare cases, increased thoughts of suicide.
Serotonin syndrome can also occur, particularly if used in conjunction with certain other medications. Close monitoring by your psychiatrist or doctor is important. Prozac also comes with a black box warning that it may increase the risk of suicide in people younger than 25 years old. In these individuals, it may lead to suicidal thoughts, or worsening of these types of thoughts.
If you belong to this group, your doctor should monitor you, particularly in the early stages, for these serious issues. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Prozac may also activate mania in people who are prone. If you stop taking Prozac all of a sudden, you may notice withdrawal symptoms , including:. For this reason, never stop a medication without consulting your doctor. It is unclear how widespread this side effect is as it was measured in clinical studies.
Speak to a healthcare provider about this risk and if taking Prozac for its mood-boosting effects outweighs it. Once you begin to feel better, you may be tempted to stop taking Prozac. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider and discuss with them what might be a good time, if any, to wean yourself off your medication. Prozac is one of the most popularly prescribed antidepressants on the market — and for good reason.
It works. However, one of the most popular questions people ask before taking it for the first time is: how long will it take for it to start helping? The answer is tricky and varies person to person, but generally, you should start feeling results within two to four weeks.
However, like all other prescription medications, Prozac comes with some potential side effects, from mild to wild, including everything from nausea and sleep disruption, to certain sexual issues and withdrawal if stopped abruptly.
The most important thing to consider before taking Prozac is the advice of your healthcare provider — follow their dosing guidelines and make sure to keep in close contact with them while taking this medication.
We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Insider tips, early access and more.
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