What It Feels Like To Take Prozac
If you experience a positive response to Prozac, you might notice a decrease in your anxiety symptoms and feel more like yourself again. You may:
- Feel more relaxed and less anxious
- See improved sleep and appetite
- Have a greater interest in life
- Have more energy
- Notice improved focus
Remember that it may take time for these improvements to become noticeableeven up to 12 weeks in some cases. You may also experience side effects at first, so it may be hard to notice the improvements until the side effects lessen.
Can Prozac Make Anxiety Worse
Antidepressants can cause anxiety in the early days of treatment. This side effect is referred to as activation syndrome. Research shows that up to 31% of people who had never taken antidepressants before had activation syndrome when they took antidepressants.
However, this side effect is usually temporary and disappears as your body adjusts to the medication. If you are taking Prozac for anxiety and feel worse off, inform your doctor. Your doctor may lower your dosage, or give you other medication to counteract this side effect. Do not stop the medication before consulting your doctor.
Does Prozac Help With Anxiety Disorders
Prozac doesnt cure these disorders, but it can help reduce specific anxiety symptoms. For OCD, it is approved to treat obsessions and compulsions. Along with other SSRI medications, Prozac has the benefit of not being habit-forming, so it can be used long term to treat anxiety disorders. It is usually taken once daily, and there is a generic option available.
Types of anxiety disorders Prozac is approved to treat include:
- Prozac for OCD: Prozac is approved by the FDA for the relief of symptoms of OCD. It has been moderately effective in reducing repetitive or ritualized behaviors and obsessive thoughts.2
- Prozac for Panic Attacks: Prozac is approved by the FDA for the treatment of panic attacks and can help treat panic disorders. It has been effective in reducing the occurrence of sudden attacks of extreme fear and worries about having these attacks.3
Prozac is also used off-label to treat other anxiety disorders. Off-label treatment is when a medication is prescribed by a physician for a reason other than it is approved for.
Anxiety disorders that Prozac is used to treat off-label include:
- Prozac for Social Anxiety: Prozac is used off-label for relief of symptoms of social anxiety. It helps reduce anxiety and increase feelings of relaxation and focus.
- Prozac for PTSD: Prozac is used off-label in the treatment of PTSD. It has been known to improve sleep and help the person return to their normal activities without feeling the need to avoid places or situations.4
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Before having any laboratory test , tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking fluoxetine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Prozac For Depression Related To Bipolar I Disorder
Prozac is FDA-approved to treat episodes of acute depression related to bipolar I disorder. For this purpose, Prozac is used with a medication called olanzapine .
Prozac is prescribed for adults as well as children ages 10 years and older with this type of depression.
Depression related to bipolar I disorder explained
Bipolar I disorder is a mental health condition in which you have episodes of depression and episodes of mania. . The episodes of depression typically last at least 2 weeks. The episodes of mania last at least 7 days or are severe enough to need treatment in a hospital.
With episodes of depression, you may feel extremely sad, gloomy, or hopeless. You may lose interest in your regular activities and feel irritable, anxious, or lacking energy. And you may have physical symptoms, such as changes in your sleep patterns or appetite.
With episodes of mania, you may feel exhilarated, excited, restless, wired, or jittery. You may have racing thoughts and talk excessively. You also may have impaired judgment and engage in risky behaviors, such as driving recklessly or gambling your savings.
Effectiveness for depression related to bipolar I disorder
Prozac, in combination with olanzapine, is an effective treatment for depression related to bipolar I disorder. To find out how the drugs performed in clinical trials, see Prozacs prescribing information.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat, and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
Prozac And Herbs And Supplements
Prozac can interact with several herbs and supplements.
Prozac and St. Johns wort
Doctors will typically advise that you do not take St. Johns wort with Prozac. St. Johns wort is an herb thought to have antidepressant effects. Some people may refer to it as a natural Prozac.
Taking St. Johns wort in combination with Prozac can increase the risk of a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome. This is a rare, dangerous condition caused by a buildup of a chemical called serotonin in your body. Both St. Johns wort and Prozac can raise your serotonin levels.
Additionally, taking St. Johns wort with Prozac could increase the level of Prozac in your body. This could further increase your risk of side effects of the drug.
Your doctor can help answer any questions you have about Prozac and St. Johns wort.
Prozac and tryptophan
Taking tryptophan supplements with Prozac can increase the risk of a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome. This is a rare, dangerous condition caused by a buildup of a chemical called serotonin in your body. Both tryptophan and Prozac can raise your serotonin levels.
If youre interested in taking tryptophan with Prozac, discuss this with your doctor.
Prozac and melatonin
Prozac hasnt been studied with melatonin, so its not known if its safe to take it with Prozac.
If youre interested in taking melatonin with Prozac, be sure to discuss this with your doctor first.
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How And When To Take Prozac
While there are general recommendations for taking Prozac, you should follow the specific instructions your provider gives you when they prescribe the medication.
Everyone is different, especially when it comes to your unique symptoms and mental health, and your provider can work with you to find a good starting dose, as well as make adjustments until you find the right dosage.
Cannabidiol & Medical Marijuana
Lets address the skeptics here first, but also look at the big picture in an unbiased way. We clearly need more research on this topic. Marijuana can clearly be addictive for some. Our society has had a puritanical basis against marijauna research in the past. Its clearly safer on average than alcohol and benzos in terms of overdose and fatality. Typically, overdose on these products has not ever been described as fatal. Only very recently has a coroner said there may have been a fatal overdose on marijuana. Even if this is not an accurate report, with the legalization of marijuana and development of higher potency strains, it would not surprise me that this does occur in time. But for now, in the big picture, the #1 drug that kills in our society is nicotine, and alcohol is #2.
The mechanism of action here concerns the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Like the other classes of medicines discussed, the exact mechanism is not completely understood. This can have various different effects including reducing seizures, anxiety, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The first ever CBD product was approved last year for severe seizure disorders.
I tend to refer my patients to someone who specializes in medical marijuana and CBD when other classes of medications like antidepressants have failed them.
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Warnings For Other Groups
For pregnant women: Talk to your doctor if youre pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug. There havent been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
For women who are breastfeeding: This drug may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For seniors: Seniors may have a higher risk of side effects from this drug. Because of this risk, your doctor may lower your dosage or have you take the medication less often.
Bulimia nervosa and panic disorder: This drug hasnt been studied in children for these conditions. It shouldnt be used in people younger than 18 years.
Major depressive disorder: This drug shouldnt be used in children younger than 8 years for this condition.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: This drug shouldnt be used in children younger than 7 years for this condition.
All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:
- how severe your condition is
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
How To Use Fluoxetine For Anxiety
Whether you take brand-name Prozac or generic fluoxetine, using fluoxetine to treat anxiety is generally a straightforward process.
Fluoxetine is available as a capsule, tablet or oral solution . Your mental health provider will generally prescribe fluoxetine for use either one time per day in the morning or twice a day in the morning and at midday.
For panic disorder, fluoxetine is usually prescribed at an initial dosage of 10mg per day. Your mental health provider may adjust your dosage based on the severity of your panic symptoms and your response to fluoxetine.
For obsessive-compulsive disorder, fluoxetine is usually prescribed at a dosage of 20mg daily, taken in the morning. This may also be adjusted over time based on your needs and general response to treatment.
Since fluoxetine isnt FDA-approved for social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions, the FDA doesnt provide specific dosage instructions for these uses. As such, theres no single fluoxetine dosage for anxiety.
If youre prescribed fluoxetine off-label to treat social anxiety, PTSD or other anxiety disorders, your mental health provider will choose an appropriate dose based on your anxiety symptoms and personal needs.
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Can Teenagers Be Treated With Prozac
Many children and teens with anxiety and depression find that Prozac helps them manage their symptoms safely. Prozac is FDA-approved to treat patients ages 7-18 with obsessive-compulsive disorder and pediatric patients ages 8-18 who have major depressive disorder .
If you or someone you know is taking Prozac or another SSRI like sertraline hydrochloride , you should be aware that for a small number of pediatric patients, these medications can cause an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
If you or your loved one is showing any indication that they pose a risk to themselves or others, call 9-1-1 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room.
Antidepressants And Suicide Risk
A warning was issued in 2004 by the United States Food and Drug Administration after research showed a link between antidepressant use and the risk of suicide. The FDA requires a black box warning on all antidepressants because of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young adults, between ages 18 and 24, during initial treatment .
Most people on antidepressants will not run into this risk. However, young people just beginning on an antidepressant should be carefully monitored for increased depression, thoughts of suicide, and any unusual behaviors. Always consult your doctor if you have any questions and/or concerns about your antidepressant prescription.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
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Prozac For Anxiety: Dosage Side Effects Interactions & More
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but when someone experiences intrusive, intense anxiety symptoms that impacts their daily life, they may have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States. , more than 40 million Americans, or 18% of our population, will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Fortunately, there are several prescription medications available for patients who need help managing their symptoms. Prozac is one of several antidepressant medications that can be a great option for treating anxiety.
Prozac has been FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder , obsessive compulsive disorder , and depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder in both adults and children. It is also approved for adults suffering from panic disorder, bulimia nervosa, and treatment-resistant depression.
It can also sometimes be prescribed for social anxiety disorder , premenstrual dysphoric disorder , generalized anxiety disorder , and post-traumatic stress disorder .
Prozac Side Effects List For Healthcare Professionals
The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling:
- Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment
- Discontinuation Adverse Reactions
When using Prozac and olanzapine in combination, also refer to the Adverse Reactions section of the package insert for Symbyax.
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect or predict the rates observed in practice.
Multiple doses of Prozac have been administered to 10,782 patients with various diagnoses in US clinical trials. In addition, there have been 425 patients administered Prozac in panic clinical trials. The stated frequencies represent the proportion of individuals who experienced, at least once, a treatment-emergent adverse reaction of the type listed. A reaction was considered treatment-emergent if it occurred for the first time or worsened while receiving therapy following baseline evaluation.
Incidence In Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, Bulimia, And Panic Disorder Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials
Table 3: Most Common Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions: Incidence in Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, Bulimia, and Panic Disorder Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials1,2
Other Reactions
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Does Prozac Work For Anxiety
Prozac does not cure anxiety disorders, but it is considered a safe and effective way to help patients manage their anxiety-related symptoms. It has been FDA-approved to treat patients with:
- Panic disorder: An anxiety disorder that causes patients to suffer from regular, spontaneous, and extreme bouts of fear or terror called panic attacks.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder :An anxiety disorder in which patients are impacted by intrusive thoughts or sensations and develop repetitive behavioral patternscalled compulsionsin an ineffective attempt to stave them off.
Clinical trials are still testing Prozacs efficacy with anxiety disorders that it has not been FDA-approved to treat. In the meantime, mental health professionals will often prescribe the drug off-label to help address conditions like generalized anxiety disorder , social anxiety disorder , persistent depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder .
Directing patients to take off-label medication is legal and safe, as long as the doctor uses their professional discretion.
Prozac And Birth Control
Prozac may have harmful effects in children born to people who take this drug during pregnancy. If youre sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while youre taking Prozac.
For more information about taking Prozac during pregnancy, see the Prozac and pregnancy section above.
Prozac can pass into breast milk. If you breastfeed while taking Prozac, a child who is breastfed may have certain side effects from the drug. These can include:
- difficulty feeding
- below-average weight gain
If youre breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking Prozac. It may be possible to breastfeed your child while you take Prozac, providing that theyre carefully monitored.
Heres some information about Prozac and misuse, dependence, and withdrawal.
You can also refer to Is Prozac addictive? in the section above called Common questions about Prozac.
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