What is Prozac?
The active ingredient in Prozac is fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is a substance that blocks the reuptake of serotonin, known as the «hormone of happiness» in the nerve cells. The peculiarity of this chemical compound is that it has a selective action on the organism – intervening in the serotonin exchange. It has no effect on other similar substance, such as acetylcholine, dopamine, histamine, norepinephrine and others.
People use Prozac to reduce the level of anxiety, fear, the psycho-emotional tension, depression, and stress. The preparation has no harmful effect on the cardiovascular system.
Dosage
Prozac dosage depends on a patient’s individual conditions and the purposes of the treatment. You ought to consult with the specialist to define the right dosage.
You can take Prozac in capsules and take them orally with enough water, regardless of your meal time.
In the treatment of depression and other mental disorders the initial dose is 20 mg 1 time per day, in the absence of clinical response every week the dose of 20mg per day is gradually increased to the maximum of 80 mg. The daily dose should be divided into 2-3 doses.
In the treatment of bulimia daily dose is 60 mg per day, divided into 3 doses (20 mg per intake);
During the therapy of neurosis obsessions Prosac dose starts with 20 to 60mg per day, depending on the severity of the condition;
In the treatment of dysphoria during PMS the dose is 20 mg one time per day;
Take into account that the average course lasts for 3-4 weeks.
Precautions
Patients with a body mass deficiency should be cautious with anorexigenic effects (possible a progressive loss of body weight).
In patients with diabetes mellitus Fluoxetine increases the risk of hypoglycemia. In this regard, the dose of insulin and/or any other hypoglycemic drug, used inside should be corrected. During the treatment people should avoid receiving ethanol and doing potentially hazardous activities that require high level of attention and speed of mental and motor reactions. The interval between the end of therapy MAO inhibitor and start of treatment with cheap Fluoxetine should be minimum of 14 days; between the end of treatment with Fluoxetine and initiation of therapy with MAO inhibitors is not less than 5 weeks. The treatment of elderly people should start with 1/2 dose.
Contraindications:
According to the instructions, Prozac contraindications include:
Individual intolerance of the product components;
Chronic renal insufficiency;
Hepatic insufficiency under decompensation;
Suicidal mood, attempts suicide in history;
Pregnancy;
Breastfed.
Side effects:
The digestive system: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, disfagia, neuralgia, taste perversion; in a few cases – idiosyncratic hepatitis.
The central and peripheral nervous system: convulsions, ataxia, myoclonus, tremor, anorexia (up to the loss of body weight), anxiety, accompanied by palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, ajitaciei, dizziness, fatigue, manic reaction, sleep disturbances (unusual dreams, insomnia); visual disturbances (mydriasis, blurred vision); violations of the autonomic nervous system (dry mouth, increased sweating, vazodilatation, chills), serotonin syndrome.
The urogenital system: violation of urination (including frequent urination), priapizm/longer-lasting erections, sexual disorders (decreased libido, delay or absence of ejaculation, lack of orgasm, impotence).
The endocrine system: violation of the secretion of ADH.
Allergic reactions: itching, skin rash, urticaria, anaphylactic reactions, vasculitis, reactions, such manifestations of serum sickness.
Dermatological reactions: photosensitivity, alopecia.
Other: yawning, ekhimoz.
Overdosage
Try to follow all the instruction and dosage. In the case of overdose all possible side effects can be increased.
Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, seizures, impaired function of the cardiovascular system (from asymptomatic arrhythmias until the heart stops), impaired function of the respiratory system and signs of changing state of the CNS from agitation to coma.
Treatment: control of the general conditions and cardiac activity along with the central symptomatic and supportive therapy.
Related Categories:
Depression
Related Medications:
Celexa, Effexor
