Get Informed: Prozac
Active Ingredient(s)
Fluoxetine
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression, as well as other conditions including panic, bulimia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin, an important chemical in the brain.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 5:57 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-18 6:14 PM
Other Names
- Prozac
- Fluoxetine
- Fluoxetine HCl
- Sarafem
- Fluoxetine Hydrochloride
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 29 Dec 1987
- Est US Patients*
- 5,336,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Prozac or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Prozac Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Prozac interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Prozac used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 31,200 patients that use Prozac (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | 70% | 
|
| Anxiety | 31% |
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 11% |
|
| Panic Disorder | 10% | 
|
| Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | 7% |
|
| Anger / Aggression | 4% |
|
| Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder | 3% |
|
| Other | 14% |
|
How well does Prozac work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 31,200 users taking Prozac (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 85%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Prozac outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Prozac.
Common Side Effects of Prozac
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 31,200 users taking Prozac (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
42% of patients experience side-effects on Prozac
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Prozac
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Loss of Libido
-
Headache
-
Insomnia
-
Heartburn/Reflux
-
Sexual Problems
-
Loss of Appetite
-
Nausea
-
Anxiety
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Acne, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dry Mouth, Frequent Urination, Increased Appetite, Memory/Speech Problems, Mental Haziness, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Muscle Spasms, Restlessness, Sweating, Tremor, Vivid Dreams, Weight Loss
Global Patient Feedback for Prozac (Fluoxetine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My boyfriend, 23, has been taking 20mg Prozac for depression for a month and I think having serious side effects. He's been feeling suicidal and hallucinating people talking to him in his room at times. He has no personal or family history of schizophrenia and knows that the hallucinations aren't real. The other side effects seem to be not really caring, feeling numb to the world, lack of sex drive and sleep. He also takes 1mg clonapin 2 times daily for anxiety.REALLY SCARED! what should he do? I love him so much and he just recently moved for school so I'm not there to really know how bad things are getting. He's been trying to call his doc but the guys out of town for awhile (and the only one in the city where he lives.) PLEASE HELP!!! Anybody else have these side effects?
26 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-18 20:01:43
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You need to have your boyfriend seek psychiatric and/or medical attention immediately. Feelings of suicide can escalate and lead to devastating consequences. Please assist him in getting in to a doctor or emergency room if necessary. He may also be able find help from his school's health center. He can also call a suicide hot line for help - the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Posted: 2009-11-19 22:52:23
Question/Comment:
I am on Prozac for OCD and take 30mg at bedtime. My doctor wants to raise the mg but anything over 30mg and I have restless leg type symptoms except all over my body. Why does this happen and is there other treatments for OCD. It is also one of my antidepressants. I'm a mess. 45 yr old female
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-06 10:45:57
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Restlessness is a possible side effect of Prozac. Your symptoms sound like they are dose-related. You should be sure to let your doctor know if the side effect impacts your quality of life. Many medications are available to treat OCD, or Obsessive-Complusive Disorder, including clomipramine (Anafranil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). It's not unusual to have to try several medications before finding one that works well to control your symptoms and causes the fewest side effects. It is best to work closely with your physician to find the best medication regimen for you.
Posted: 2009-11-11 14:52:26
Question/Comment:
I have started taking Prozac...started at 20mg.,then 40mg., now up to 60mg. Has anyone experienced a large amout of wieght gain and water retention??
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-13 22:00:58
Answer/Reply:
There is a small chance prosac can cause weight gain.
16 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-01 13:40:02
Question/Comment:
What is the best way to come off of Prozac?
16 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-05 14:12:31
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Tapering the Prozac dose under the direction of your physician is very important. In some cases small dose changes are made once weekly and then monitored and evaluated by your doctor to determine the next decrease in dose. It is key to have your physician's involvement in determining the best tapering schedule for you and your medical conditions.
Posted: 2009-10-30 00:14:03
Question/Comment:
im not depresssed at all so i still cant figure out why my doc gave me 10 mg of prozac i have panic disorder and anxiety he also gave me xanax but i was wondering if the prozac will help with panic and anxiety and if i could stop taking the xanax once it kicks in
25 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 09:16:35
Answer/Reply:
Prosac is used to help treat anxiety and panic disorders i was put on it for my anxiety and panic attacks.
16 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-01 13:44:53
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Prozac