There was a time when depression was an illness that had a lot of stigma attached. People believed that having depression was proof of some failing in their character or their failure as an individual. Now that we understand depression a great deal better, we find that many people suffer through this disease unnecessarily. There are many ways to treat depression and it is possible to live a normal, happy life through treatment even for severe depression. One of the main treatment methods available for depression is using various drugs that are prescribed by physicians who handle depression. One well known type is fluoxetine, better known as Prozac.
About Fluoxetine
Managing depression with fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, began in 1987 when this antidepressant medication was approved by the FDA in 1987. This drug does not only treat depression. The list of mental illnesses it treats is extensive and includes obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and bulimia nervosa. Another name that fluoxetine is known as is Sarafem which is used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which is a severe form of PMS. Fluoxetine blocks the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain and classified an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drug. Other drugs in this family include Zoloft and Paxil.
Fluoxetine Differences
Prozac (fluoxetine) is incredibly effective for relieving the symptoms of depression. The older generation of tricyclic antidepressants were very effective but had a number of side effects. Managing depression with fluoxetine has a history of few heart related problems and symptoms like dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness and blurred vision. Prozac also does not require a special diet or cause weight changes like older drugs and some MAOIs. There are few deaths attributed to fluoxetine and there is a general ease among the mental health community and acceptance of Prozac by the public at large.
Side Effects
While the side effects when managing depression with fluoxetine are brief and mild, there are some. They can be reduced by changing the dosage of the medication or by changing the medication altogether. The most common side effects include:
Insomnia
Drowsiness
Headache
Diarrhea
Rash
Persistent sexual side effects (reduced arousal or satisfaction)
Changes in appetite and weight (usually resulting in weight loss)
Combining Meds
It is important that your doctor be aware of all the medications you are taking so that you do not have any adverse reactions. Specifically, a course of fluoxetine should not be taken until you have been off of any MAOIs for at least two weeks. If you are planning to start a course of MAOIs you should discontinue Prozac and take no medication for at least five weeks. The combination of these two drugs can be fatal which underscores the importance of drug safety.
Managing Depression with Fluoxetine
Managing depression with fluoxetine is done with a standard dose according to the depression or other mental illness diagnosed. With OCD, the dosage is 20mg per day; for bulimia the dosage is 60 mg per day. The maximum dosage per day is 80 mg and the duration is usually 16 to 40 weeks. Depending on how well you are doing Managing depression with fluoxetine, the doctor may decrease your prescription or wean you off the medication entirely. Most people who are Managing depression with fluoxetine notice an improvement within a week, but sometimes it can take three to six weeks for true results to take hold. It is very important that you continue to be evaluated throughout your treatment with Prozac.
