Prozac is a medication that is used to treat depression and other mood disorders. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Fluoxetine may improve your overall mood, help with insomnia, and increase energy levels. It can also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks that are often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is used to treat depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia nervosa.
The medicine is available in capsules, tablets, and a solution to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day, or twice a day in the morning and at noon.
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and when to take it. The dose is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Your doctor may also recommend other medications to help with your symptoms. These medications include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), migraine medicines called "triptans," and some pain medications. If you are taking any of these, ask your doctor if it is safe to take fluoxetine with them.
It is used to treat depression
Prozac is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, and severe cases of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It's also prescribed "off-label" for anxiety, obesity, binge-eating disorder, premature ejaculation, body dysmorphic disorder, and a few other conditions.
SSRIs work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps control feelings of mood and energy. They are one of the most common types of antidepressants.
SSRIs are often effective but can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. These withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, and they may last for several weeks as your body gets rid of the drug.
It is not addictive
Fluoxetine is not a habit-forming drug, which means that it does not have the intense cravings and compulsive behavior that many other drugs are associated with. However, if you or someone you know takes Prozac for a long period of time, it’s possible to develop a psychological dependence on the drug, and withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop using it.
Withdrawal symptoms can cause unwanted physical reactions, including irritability, dizziness, moodiness, nausea and depression. It can also cause unwanted psychological effects, such as thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
It is not a habit-forming drug
Fluoxetine is a drug that can help treat depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, it is not without its share of pitfalls and can be a gateway to more dangerous substances.
In a nutshell, a gateway drug is any substance that rewires the brain to enable the user to better experience drugs and/or alcohol. This includes legal drugs like alcohol and marijuana as well as illegal ones.
People often experiment with gateway drugs as teens, which can lead to a substance abuse problem later in life. It's not uncommon to see a high school senior with a drug or alcohol problem years after graduating, which is why it’s crucial to be on the lookout for the warning signs of an addiction. A drug or alcohol addiction can be a real drain on your life, and can leave you with a damaged reputation, lost income and broken relationships.
It is not a gateway drug
It is not uncommon to hear about gateway drugs, a term that refers to milder substances that can lead to the abuse of more serious substances. Marijuana, alcohol, nicotine, and prescription medications are all commonly considered to be gateway drugs.
Although some research suggests that people who abuse marijuana are more likely to use other drugs later, the gateway hypothesis is controversial and has a number of issues. Researchers suggest that there may be other factors, such as social influences, that increase the risk of drug abuse.
