All of us experience some form of anxiety or nervousness in everyday life but sometimes extreme lasting bouts of worry may lead to panic attacks or depression. The situation becomes worse when these problems start impacting your mood, sleep patterns, and energy level without any unidentifiable reasons. Nowadays, Prozac(Fluoxetine) is recognized as one of the most prescribed antidepressants to control depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia and more. However, before starting this medication, you should consult your doctor to get information regarding the possible side effects, interactions and Uses of Prozac(Fluoxetine).

What is Prozac (Fluoxetine) & its Uses?

Fluoxetine is an active pharmaceutical substance in Prozac (brand name) that is prescribed worldwide for the treatment of depression. This antidepressant got FDA approval as a drug in 1987 and is indicated for obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and bulimia nervosa (eating disorder). Panic attacks occur due to feelings of extreme fear and worry while depression is a mental health condition that creates feelings of hopelessness and sadness. Likewise, premenstrual dysphoric disorder in female patients causes bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness and irritability. Fluoxetine intake relieves all these symptoms and increases the levels of serotonin in the human brain which effectively maintains mental balance.

Meanwhile, its combination with olanzapine is found effective to cure treatment-resistant depression and Bipolar I Disorder. You may require a doctor’s prescription to get it from the pharmacy. This antidepressant category medicine is available in capsule, syrup, tablet and solution forms. You must take the one that is prescribed by your healthcare professional. This medicine not only improves your sleep, mood and appetite but also enhances the energy levels you need to perform routine tasks. The patients feel less fear, anxiety and unwanted thoughts while their urge to do a task, again and again, is also reduced.  Besides the aforementioned issues, fluoxetine is also suggested to cure alcoholism, sleep disorders, headaches, phobias, attention-deficit disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and more. You must take this antidepressant after consulting your doctor to avoid the risks of interaction and side effects associated with this medicine. Talk to your doctor in detail about the Uses of Prozac(Fluoxetine). 

Mechanism of Action

Research on depression in 1965 explored that the dysfunction of neurotransmitters including serotonin causes depression. Low levels of serotonin were found in depression patients. Consequently, work was started to develop the antidepressants such as fluoxetine to modulate the serotonin levels in the human brain. Fluoxetine is linked with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor category of drugs and enhances the activity of serotonin chemicals in the human brain. Serotonin is believed to have good impacts on human emotions, sleep and mood.

Benefits of Prozac (Fluoxetine)

  • It improves your mood and you feel better than before.
  • This antidepressant also brings improvement in your sleeping patterns.
  • Fluoxetine makes you feel less worried and anxious.
  • It prevents sudden panic attacks of extreme worry and fear.
  • Fluoxetine restores your interest in routine life.
  • This medicine reduces the urge to do repeated tasks.
  • It is prescribed to control binging behaviour in patients with bulimia.
  • This medicine helps patients to recover from depression and has few side effects than other antidepressants.
  • Fluoxetine increases serotonin levels in the human brain and positively influences on mood and emotions.  

How to Use Prozac (Fluoxetine)?

Take this medicine orally in the form (solution, capsule, tablet) suggested by your doctor. This antidepressant can be taken with food or without it. Fixed a time of the day to take the dose of this medicine and follow that routine. Before starting this medicine, read all the details on your prescription label and in case of any ambiguity, take advice from your doctor. Never prolong the dose of any medicine or stop it before the prescribed duration to enjoy the full benefits of a medicine. If your doctor has prescribed a capsule form of fluoxetine, then swallow it as a whole without chewing or crushing. It takes almost 4-5 weeks or more to get the full benefits of fluoxetine therefore, never stop it before time even though you have started feeling well.

Seek your doctor’s advice before leaving this medicine to abstain from withdrawal symptoms including:

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Dizziness
  • Headache irritability
  • Mood changes
  • Numbness/tingling in the hands or feet
  • Sweating
  • Tiredness

Your doctor will suggest you take a lower dose of this medicine before leaving this medicine to ensure a safe withdrawal. The female patients who are suggested to take this antidepressant for premenstrual problems may need to take this medicine two weeks before starting periods or every day of the month as suggested by the doctor.

Impacts of Fluoxetine on Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Some cases are reported of fluoxetine effects on the development of the heart of a baby but they are rare.  Most of the newborns to the mothers using fluoxetine have normal hearts. This medicine may cause breathing issues in babies, very rarely, when used weeks before delivery. The risk of increased bleeding after delivery is also there. However, all these side effects are rare. Speak to your doctor before starting this medicine as mental health issues are also important to tackle during pregnancy.

Moreover, fluoxetine can pass through breast milk so there are rare chances of getting side effects. If your baby is healthy and your doctor suggests you continue this medicine, then keep taking it. In case your baby is not feeding normally or remains sleepy or irritable, talk to your doctor immediately. No cases are reported that this medicine has any negative impacts on the fertility of men and women but still doctor’s approval is necessary before taking any medicine.

Conclusion

When it comes to the benefits and Uses of Prozac(Fluoxetine), you can’t deny that this antidepressant is really effective to treat depression and other mental health conditions. You can buy Prozac (Fluoxetine) at a competitive cost from Super Meds online pharmacy and it will be delivered to your postal address which is another comfort of online ordering. The process of placing the order is really simple and easy to understand. Don’t wait to place your online order, just do it in a few clicks!