![]() There are also delayed-release versions that provide up to 90 milligrams of fluoxetine. Higher daily doses may be used in certain cases, depending on the patient’s condition and unique situation. Note that Prozac has a longer half-life than other SSRIs, so it can take several weeks to feel a difference.Īn average starting dosage for Prozac is 20 milligrams (mg) per day, with a max daily dose of 80 milligrams. Like any medication, it’s important to take fluoxetine as directed by the healthcare professional prescribing it. But just because fluoxetine helps your brain feel happier doesn’t mean more is better. Starting Prozac can be the first step toward better mental health. Combining SSRIs with other treatment methods, like therapy, is often best. There’s evidence that some people diagnosed with depression have reduced levels of serotonin.įor lots of folks, increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain can help reduce symptoms of depression. Still, serotonin plays a complex role in the body. As a result, there’s a growing amount of serotonin on the dance floor. Normally, the sending brain cell will “clean up” the serotonin it passes off by reabsorbing it.īut when you let an SSRI like fluoxetine into the party, it acts like a bouncer, blocking reabsorption from happening. When serotonin is passed between brain cells, it’s like handing off the happiness baton. One of these neurotransmitters is serotonin, which plays a key role in your mood (as well as sleep, digestion, nausea, blood clotting, sexual functions and bone health). Picture a crowd of brain cells meandering about at a party in your brain, communicating with one another through chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. They’re called “selective” serotonin reuptake inhibitors because they target serotonin - leaving most other brain chemicals unaffected.Īnd the mechanism by which SSRIs work is pretty fascinating. ![]() Unlike other antidepressants, SSRIs like Prozac increase the amount of serotonin in your brain. Many providers prescribe Prozac for PMDD for use during the 14 days leading up to menstruation. A more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), PMDD causes severe depression, irritability or anxiety. Fluoxetine is often an effective treatment method for this condition with minor side effects. Ongoing depression with feelings of guilt, sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts could be major depressive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder disorder is characterized by patterns of intrusive thoughts and fears and repetitive behaviors. Fluoxetine can help improve commitment to treatment. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder involving periods of overeating, self-induced vomiting and excessive concern about achieving weight loss. Based on their performance in clinical trials, SSRIs are regularly used to help reduce panic symptoms.īulimia nervosa. This mental health condition involves recurrent, unpredictable panic attacks. Many people use Prozac for anxiety due to its effectiveness and generally good tolerance. Overwhelming anxiety or fear that interferes with daily life could be an anxiety disorder. Some healthcare providers might also use it off-label for other conditions associated with depressive episodes.Īnxiety disorders. ![]() Prozac is approved to treat several mental illnesses. As an SSRI, it lifts your mood by increasing the amount of serotonin (aka “the happy chemical”) in your brain. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for depression in 1987. It’s a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication used in the treatment of various mental health disorders, including depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD).Ī standard treatment option for depression and other mental health concerns, this antidepressant medication has found itself in millions of medicine cabinets.įluoxetine was approved by the U.S. Let’s take a deep dive into how fluoxetine works and the factors to weigh if you’re considering this medication. Fluoxetine should be taken as directed by your healthcare provider, and you should be aware of its advantages and disadvantages before starting treatment. Many people feel empowered to finally seek out therapy and treatment - like getting fluoxetine online for depression - and we celebrate that.īut like any other drug, Prozac isn’t for everyone and comes with potential side effects. An effort to destigmatize professional mental health support has also surfaced. Thankfully, this extends beyond trendy “self-care” advice to take baths and buy candles. It took enduring a pandemic, awkwardly dancing into a “new normal” and normalizing oversharing on social media to initiate a more open conversation about mental health. It’s no wonder antidepressant use has steadily increased in recent years. In a world where we joke about finding happiness in pill form, Prozac® (and the generic fluoxetine) is one of the most recognizable pharmaceuticals. ![]()
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