Prozac Essay, Research Paper

Prozac. Wonder drug or not? Do the benefits outweigh the side effects? Prozac is an antidepressant with both positive and negative effects.

Prozac is only available by prescription. It is mainly prescribed as an anti depressant to help with the symptoms and related anxiety. It is also commonly prescribed as an anti-obsessive compulsive. Others indications are bulimia. Prozac decrease binge eating and purging activity compared to the placebo treatment. And in some cases Prozac can be prescribed to help with the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Prozac has numerous side effects that sometimes outweigh the benefits. The most common side effects are: insomnia, fatigue, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, altered taste, and headaches. Some other infrequent side effects are: blurred vision, anxiety, nervousness, drowsiness, dizziness, anorexia, and impaired erections. The more serious but rare side effects are suicidal thoughts and acts, hypomania, seizures, and tremor.

Depression is a disease where there is an imbalance of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Prozac helps to correct the imbalance by increasing the brains supply ( Prozac/About Prozac/How Prozac Works ). Compared to other antidepressants Prozac only affects serotonin and causes fewer side effects. Prozac cannot cure depression but it can help control the side effects.

When taking Prozac or any medication for that matter there are always some food and drug interactions you should watch out for. When taking Prozac you shouldn t take any other antidepressants mainly MAO inhibitors. Food high in tryptophan like: meat, poultry, fish, liver, kidney, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, and wheat germs should be avoided when taking Prozac ( Everything you Need to Know about Drugs ). If you are diabetic and take insulin or oral diabetes drugs Prozac might not be right for you. Prozac will increase the effects of Valium and increase levels of Clozapine, haloperidol, and loratadine ( Prozac (fluoxetine) ). Cough suppressants taken with Prozac may cause hallucinations. If you are taking Prozac stay clear of grapefruit juice, as it will increase blood levels. Also, people with concomitant systemic illness should use Prozac cautiously, especially those with diseases or conditions that could affect metabolism or hemodynamic responses ( Fluoxetine ). Elderly patients are normally prescribed with a low dosage of Prozac, which they will slowly progress into higher dosages of Prozac.

If you have been diagnosed with depression and you are prescribed Prozac, there are some precautions you want to look for. If you have a history of seizures then Prozac is not right for you. If you want to become pregnant or you are breast-feeding you should discuss the possible risks with you doctor. Do not take Prozac if you have an impaired kidney or liver functions, Parkinson s disease or a history of psychosis.

If you are taking Prozac for depression it can begin to improve you symptoms within one to two weeks after beginning treatment. It will take four weeks or longer too fully experience the benefits. The recommended length for treatment with an antidepressant is six to twelve months, because the long-term goal is to keep depression from distressing you again. Only a doctor should determine the appropriate length of your treatment.

Prozac dosages differ with the reason it was prescribed. If you take Prozac for depression the recommended initial dose is 20 milligrams per day. For bulimia the recommended dosage is 60 milligrams per day. When Prozac is prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder the recommended dose is 20 to 60 milligrams per day. They are no alternate dosages related to age. Prozac can be taken with or without food.

Suicidal attempts and thoughts are symptoms of depression and patients taking Prozac should be supervised throughout therapy. These symptoms of depression will persist until remission occurs ( Flouxetine ). Patients who have had or are at high risk of suicide should be prescribed a lower dosage of Prozac.

Prozac may be a wonder drug to some but to other the side effects may outweigh the benefits. This antidepressant has many effects some positive while others remain negative. If you are ever prescribed Prozac be sure to discuss all side effects, precautions, and warnings with your doctor.