If you came to this website your probably pondering such question as 'What is prozac?' 'How does it work?' 'What are the side effects?' or even 'Why should I care?'. Well good thing your here because I'm here to explain everything about Prozac to you!
Multiple names
First you should know that Prozac goes by many name including Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, Rapiflux, Sarafem, Selfemra, LY110141, or just pain old Fluoxetine. Now for questions!
What is prozac?
Simple, it's a happy pill (or mood enhancer) which increases serotonin levels in the brain.
How does it work?-
Prozac is drug that increases serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is basically the bodies natural mood enhancer biochemically derived from tryptophan, and when the body has an imbalance in serotonin levels it can lead to depression, eating disorders, panic disorders, anxiety, ect. What Prozac does is it work on the serotonin balance by inhibiting a transporter called SERT that selectively pumps serotonin back into the neurons.This can help restore serotonin levels in the brain, improving mood.
What are the side effects?-
The most common side effects are abnormal dreams, anxiety, a decrease in sexual desire or ability, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, flu-like symptoms (including fever, chills, muscle aches), increased sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, runny nose, sore throat, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, weakness, and excessive yawning.
The more extreme symptoms can include a severe allergic reaction (breaking out in a rash, hives, itching, trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling), bizarre behavior; chest pain, confusion, decreased concentration, decreased coordination, exaggerated reflexes, fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations (my personal favorite!), memory loss; panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being (well that's not ALL bad!), seizures; severe or persistent anxiety, trouble sleeping, or weakness; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headache; significant weight loss; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or attempts(remember this is a drug that primarily treats depression), unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; unusual swelling; unusual weakness; vision changes; worsening of depression. If you have any of these symptoms please go see your doctor.
Why should you care?-
Prozac has helped countless patients gain there lives back, and brought global attention to neurological disorders. Before Prozac people didn't know that depression was an actual disorder and they thought that people were just sad and should cheer up. After Prozac was introduced it was confirmed that depression was a chemical deficiency in the brain and could be treated like a disease with medicine and not just with therapists.
Hear it from a pharmacist!
Multiple names
First you should know that Prozac goes by many name including Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, Rapiflux, Sarafem, Selfemra, LY110141, or just pain old Fluoxetine. Now for questions!
What is prozac?
Simple, it's a happy pill (or mood enhancer) which increases serotonin levels in the brain.
How does it work?-
Prozac is drug that increases serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is basically the bodies natural mood enhancer biochemically derived from tryptophan, and when the body has an imbalance in serotonin levels it can lead to depression, eating disorders, panic disorders, anxiety, ect. What Prozac does is it work on the serotonin balance by inhibiting a transporter called SERT that selectively pumps serotonin back into the neurons.This can help restore serotonin levels in the brain, improving mood.
What are the side effects?-
The most common side effects are abnormal dreams, anxiety, a decrease in sexual desire or ability, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, flu-like symptoms (including fever, chills, muscle aches), increased sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, runny nose, sore throat, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, weakness, and excessive yawning.
The more extreme symptoms can include a severe allergic reaction (breaking out in a rash, hives, itching, trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling), bizarre behavior; chest pain, confusion, decreased concentration, decreased coordination, exaggerated reflexes, fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations (my personal favorite!), memory loss; panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being (well that's not ALL bad!), seizures; severe or persistent anxiety, trouble sleeping, or weakness; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headache; significant weight loss; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or attempts(remember this is a drug that primarily treats depression), unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; unusual swelling; unusual weakness; vision changes; worsening of depression. If you have any of these symptoms please go see your doctor.
Why should you care?-
Prozac has helped countless patients gain there lives back, and brought global attention to neurological disorders. Before Prozac people didn't know that depression was an actual disorder and they thought that people were just sad and should cheer up. After Prozac was introduced it was confirmed that depression was a chemical deficiency in the brain and could be treated like a disease with medicine and not just with therapists.
Hear it from a pharmacist!
Created by Theresa Green