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Description
What is Prozac used for?
Prozac is prescribed to treat mood disorders like major depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is also used to treat bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. These conditions usually develop because of chemical imbalances in the brain and will cause severe emotional distress if left untreated. Prozac cannot cure these conditions, but it can minimize their symptoms by correcting the chemical imbalances so you are able to enjoy family and friends and carry out your daily tasks.
You can buy Prozac (Fluoxetine) online at My Drug Center. We have the Prozac generic, called Fluoxetine available for purchase as well.
How does Prozac work?
Prozac contains the active Fluoxetine, and belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This medication works by increasing the activity of a chemical called serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps maintain mental balance; it is involved in regulating mood and pain.
Directions
Before taking Prozac or the Fluoxetine generic, read all the instructions and paper work that given to you by your pharmacist. Take your Prozac dosage orally once a day. Make sure you take it at the same time each day to create a routine for yourself and to ensure an even spread of the Fluoxetine dosage in your system. This medication should taken on a regular basis to have optimal results.The dose of Prozac that you take will depend on your condition and your age. Take Prozac exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change or increase your dose.
Cautions
Before taking Prozac or the Fluoxetine generic, read all the instructions that were provided by your pharmacist. Take Prozac orally once a day with a full glass of water. Swallow the tablet whole; do not break, crush, or chew it. Prozac can be administered with or without a meal. Make sure you take the medication at the same time each day to create a routine for yourself and to ensure an even spread of the Fluoxetine dosage in your system. For optimal results take this medication on a regular basis. Do not change or increase your dose. You should continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
Prozac or the Fluoxetine generic may contain medical and non medical ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction. Be sure to discuss other medical conditions, known allergies, and list any over-the-counter or prescription medications, and herbal products you are currently taking.
Avoid operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle, or performing other dangerous activities until you know how Prozac affects you. The drug can cause sleepiness and may worsen your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly.
Prozac may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults within the first several months of treatment or after a change in dose.
Side Effects
Some Prozac side effects include:
Restlessness, Hives/itching/skin rash, insomnia, headache, upset stomach, weight/appetite changes
If any side effects of Fluoxetine become unmanageable speak with your doctor or pharmacist for help in managing any side effects. For any serious side effects that occur speak with your doctor right away for further treatment options.
FAQs
What is Prozac?
Prozac is a medication available only with a valid prescription. This medication comes in tablet form for oral administration in 2 strengths; 10 and 20 mg of fluoxetine. We carry both the brand and the generic medication in both strengths at My Drug Center, obtainable with a valid prescription.
What is Fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant drug; it is what gives Prozac its therapeutic effects. Fluoxetine doesn’t have an effect on the heart and is more energizing, compared to other antidepressants.
What is Fluoxetine used for?
Fluoxetine is used for disorders affecting mental health; these types of disorders are characterized by a mix of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behavior. The most common type of mental illness being depression; other mental illness treatable with Prozac include obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), moderate to severe bulimia nervosa, panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), and more.
What does Prozac do?
Using Prozac (fluoxetine) will help regulate mood; improving mood can help improve performance at work or school, behavior, relationships, and sleep. Improving mood may also help reduce anxiety.
How does Fluoxetine work?
Inside the human body, a chemical called serotonin is produced. Serotonin is made naturally to help regulate mood and behavior, as well as appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire/function; it is a crucial chemical for humans to produce. In cases of mental illness, the level of serotonin is often low and therefore depression and other mental illnesses are thought to be caused by low levels of this chemical. How Prozac works to treat these mental illnesses is simply by balancing the levels of serotonin by preventing the brain cells from absorbing it back in too quickly.
What is a normal dose of Prozac?
Dosages depend solely on what condition the drug is aiming to treat. Depression, the most common of mental illness, would require an average single-dose of 20-60mg per day. What is the highest dose of Prozac? For depression, the highest dose is 80mg per day, taken as a single dose.
How to take Prozac?
You should follow all directions given to you by your doctor on how to take this medication, even if those directions are different from what is listed here. Prozac may be taken with or without food, but each dose must be swallowed whole without chewing or crushing the tablet. The dose strength will be determined by your doctor.
When is the best time to take Prozac?
The scheduling for dosing will be determined by your doctor; typically, Prozac is taken either in the morning as one single dose, or in the morning and the afternoon as two daily doses.
How long does it take for Prozac to get out of your system?
It depends on many factors, but mainly on how often you’ve taken Prozac in the past. The total approximate time it takes to clear the system can be determined using the half life of the medication. When fluoxetine is taken by someone who has never been treated with fluoxetine before, the half life is 1-3 days; it will take 120–360 hours (5 –15 days) for Prozac to clear their system. If the person has taken fluoxetine before (long-term use of the medication), the half life increases to 4-6 days; it will take 480 – 720 hours (20 – 30 days) for Prozac to clear their system.
What class of drug is Prozac?
Prozac is made up of fluoxetine, an antidepressant drug. Antidepressants can include a wide range of different drug classes; so, what kind of drug is Prozac specifically? Prozac belongs to the drug class called SSRIs, which is the abbreviation for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
When was Prozac invented?
Fluoxetine was first discovered in 1972 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1987. It was discovered by the same company who makes Prozac today, more than 30 years later; Eli Lilly and Company, an American pharmaceutical company. This company also produces other popular brand-name medications such as Cialis (for erectile dysfunction) and Cymbalta (another antidepressant).
How long does it take for Prozac to work?
The exact amount of time it takes for fluoxetine (Prozac) to work will vary between each individual. Typically, within week 1 - 2 of treatment, an improvement within sleep, energy, and/or appetite may be noticed. However, the effectiveness of Prozac takes time and will not occur over night; it could take 6-8 weeks before you feel the full effect of the medication.
How quickly does Prozac work for anxiety?
This question cannot be accurately answered, as previously mentioned, the amount of time it takes the medication to work – for any type of symptom, including anxiety- will vary between each individual. However, it is known that anxiety will likely take more time for improvement compared to other symptoms (such as symptoms involving sleep, energy, or appetite) when using antidepressants like Prozac.
How does Prozac make you feel?
Prozac may cause you to feel a certain way or cause certain sensations or discomforts; these are called side effects. All medications pose the risk of side effects; so what are the side effects of Prozac? Side effects may include restlessness, strange dreams, headache, feeling anxious or nervous, feeling tired, nauseous, or weak, or diarrhea. This list does not include all possible side effects; side effects listed here are not guaranteed.
What is the generic name for Prozac?
The generic alternative for Prozac is sold under the name of the active ingredient; fluoxetine. It is available in the same strengths as the brand name medication; 10 and 20 mg.
How much does Prozac cost?
Prozac can be an expensive medication in the United States; the cost of the brand medication is not typically covered by insurance. How much is Prozac without insurance? The cost of fluoxetine tablets (generic Prozac) in the United States without insurance is more than 3 times as much as the same quantity and strength of fluoxetine (generic Prozac) at My Drug Center, so how much is Prozac at My Drug Center? You can find fluoxetine for as low as $57.00, which works out to just less than $0.65 per tablet.
What is the difference between Prozac and Effexor?
Prozac and Effexor are similar in a lot of ways, but they do present some differences as well. The biggest difference between the two is the drug class, which indicates their mechanism of action. Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; Effexor is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; both prevent the reuptake of serotonin, but Effexor also prevents the reuptake of norepinephrine. Another difference within the two is the approved indications. In the United States, Effexor is only approved to treat major depressive disorder; Prozac is also approved for MDD as well as 4 other additional indications. Prozac is an antidepressant that causes more energy than other antidepressants, while Effexor causes more sleepiness compared to other antidepressants. Finally, Prozac generally takes longer for the full effect to be felt compared to Effexor; however, there are more known associated side effects when using Effexor compared to Prozac.
Switching from Paxil to Prozac what to expect?
Your doctor will choose one of four strategies on how to make the switch; direct switch; taper and immediate switch; taper, washout, and switch; or cross taper. No matter which method is used, switching one antidepressant for another will risk - and may result in - complications. This may include withdrawal symptoms (like headache, dizziness, irritability, and vivid dreams, among others) or serotonin syndrome (with symptoms like tremor, shivering, heavy sweating, and fast heart beat, among others). Your doctor will chose the method that poses the minimal risk for you specifically. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the switch, ensure you speak with your doctor beforehand.
What is the difference between Prozac and Paxil?
These two antidepressants are very similar; however, they are not entirely the same as they do have some differences. First off, they are made up of different SSRI antidepressants (though they do sound similar); Paxil is made up of paroxetine while Prozac is made up of fluoxetine. Another difference is found within drug interactions; Prozac has more known drug interactions than Paxil - about 149 more to be exact - according to Drugs.com. For those of you suffering mental illness under the age 18, you may want to be aware of this next difference; Paxil is not approved for those under the age of 18, but Prozac is, and can be used in children as young as 8 years old. The final (noteworthy) difference is seen in the approved indications. Both these medications can treat all the same conditions (for the most part) but they are not necessarily approved for all of them. In the United States, Prozac is approved for bipolar disorder, where Paxil is not. However, Paxil is approved for post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder, where Prozac is not. There may also be some other differences not listed here.
Which is worse Prozac or Paxil?
Both medications present upsides and downsides which makes neither of them better or worse than the other. Based off differences within the two, which can be found in the previous answer, you may be able to determine which medication is right for you. For example, Paxil will not be a good choice for those under the age of 18 because the safety and effectiveness have not yet been established in pediatric patients. However, if you take multiple medications, Paxil may be the better choice for you, as it has less known drug interactions. If you are unsure which medication is better for you, speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each before deciding on one together.
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