What is Prozac?

Prozac is an antidepressant from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor’s group of drugs. The depression, panic or anxiety can be due to chemicals of Prozac which can affect the brain to make it unbalanced. Some depressive disorders, bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can be treated with the help of Prozac.

You can use Prozac with some other medication called olanzapine (Zyprexa) for the treatment of depression caused by bipolar disorder. You can even use this combination after two months of use without successful treatment of symptoms. This medication can also be used for some other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Prozac

Prozac should not be taken with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). There can be thoughts about suicide when you first take this antidepressant especially whne you are under 24.

If you have new or worsening symptoms like mood or behavior changes, panic, anxiety, trouble sleeping, irritable, agitated, aggressive and hostile, more depressed then you should contact your doctor immediately. There can be some serious life threatening lung problems in new born babies with the SSRI antidepressants. Therefore pregnant women should not take this medication. You can use this medication by consulting your doctor.

Before taking Prozac

You should not use Prozac if you are using pimozide, thioridazine (Mellaril) or an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).

There can be fatal reactions if you take these medicines with the Prozac. There should be at least 14 days after stopping MAO inhibitor before taking Prozac. If you are allergic to any drug or if you have kidney disease, liver problems, diabetes, seizure, bipolar disorder or history of drug abuse then you should tell your doctor before using this medication.

How should I take Prozac?

The Prozac should be taken as it is prescribed and its larger amount should not be taken. You should follow the directions of your doctor. The doctor can make some changes in your dose for the best results of this medication.

The capsule should not be chewed or open and swallow the pill whole. The liquid Prozac should be measured with the measuring spoon to take the exact amount of this medication. It can take 4 weeks to make you feel better therefore don’t stop this medication without consulting your doctor. There can be some unpleasant side effects of this medication as well. You should take one dose of this medication daily to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This medication should be stored at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

You should take the missed dose when you remember it but you should skip the missed dose if it is time for the next dose. You should not take the extra medicine to make up the missed dose. You should take the missed dose when you remember if you missed the weekly dose of Prozac and take the next dose 7 days later.

What happens if I overdose?

You should get emergency medical in case you have taken overdose of this medication. There can be nausea, vomiting, fever, rapid or uneven heartbeat, fainting, seizure or come if you have taken overdose.

What should I avoid while taking Prozac?

You should avoid drinking alcohol with Prozac as it can increase side effects. There can be side effects which can impair your thinking. You should tell your doctor in case you are taking sleeping pills, muscles relaxers and seizure medicines.

What other drugs will affect Prozac?

You should tell you doctor if you are taking any medicines for pain, fevers or swelling. You should be careful of taking Prozac with medicines like aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others.

You should also talk to your doctor before using Prozac if you are taking medicines like alprazolam (Xanax), clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo), digitoxin (Crystodigin), flecainide (Tambocor), haloperidol (Haldol), seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol),tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan), vinblastine (Velban), a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin),almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).

There can be some other drugs as well which can have interaction with the Prozac.