Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride) - Summary

PROZAC SUMMARY

Prozac® (fluoxetine hydrochloride) is a psychotropic drug for oral administration. It is also marketed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (Sarafem®, fluoxetine hydrochloride).

Prozac is indicated for the following:

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Prozac is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Prozac is indicated for the treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as defined in the DSM-III-R; i.e., the obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time-consuming, or significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning.

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Prozac is indicated for the treatment of binge-eating and vomiting behaviors in patients with moderate to severe bulimia nervosa.

PANIC DISORDER

Prozac is indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, as defined in DSM-IV. Panic disorder is characterized by the occurrence of unexpected panic attacks, and associated concern about having additional attacks, worry about the implications or consequences of the attacks, and/or a significant change in behavior related to the attacks.

See all Prozac indications & dosage >>

PROZAC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Prozac (Fluoxetine)

Prozac improves learning and memory in Huntington's disease
Source: The Doctors Lounge - Neurology
Scientists in Melbourne found that fluoxetine improves depression, learning and memory in Huntington's disease.

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Prozac (Fluoxetine)

A randomized controlled clinical trial of Citalopram versus Fluoxetine in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). [2009.02.03]
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Citalopram is as safe and effective as Fluoxetine [generic for Prozac] for children and adolescents with OCD. Further studies are needed to replicate our findings.

A double-masked, placebo-controlled study of fluoxetine for hypochondriasis. [2008.12]
This study assessed the efficacy, durability, and tolerability of fluoxetine [generic for Prozac] for hypochondriasis, a disorder for which controlled pharmacological trials are scarce. Fifty-seven patients with hypochondriasis were enrolled: 12 discontinued during the placebo run-in, and 45 were randomized to either fluoxetine or placebo for 12 weeks (acute treatment).

Effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine on counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes. [2008.12]
CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that 6-week administration of the SSRI fluoxetine [generic for Prozac] can amplify ANS and metabolic counterregulatory mechanisms during moderate hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. These data also suggest that the use of fluoxetine may be useful in increasing epinephrine responses during hypoglycemia in clinical practice.

Placebo-controlled, randomized trial of fluoxetine in the treatment of aggression in male intimate partner abusers. [2008.11]
The objective was to determine the efficacy of treating aggressive behavior in men, with a history of intimate partner abuse, with fluoxetine [generic for Prozac]. Twenty-six men with a history of intimate-partner-abusing behavior entered a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of fluoxetine (20-60 mg by mouth per day).Despite the small sample, these results do not support the hypothesis that treatment with an SSRI is associated with a reduction in aggressive behavior among men with a history of intimate partner abuse.

Treating thermally injured children suffering symptoms of acute stress with imipramine and fluoxetine: a randomized, double-blind study. [2008.11]
CONCLUSION: Within the parameters of this study design and sample, placebo was statistically as effective as either drug in treating symptoms of ASD.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Prozac (Fluoxetine)

Fasting Study of Fluoxetine Capsules 40 mg and Prozac Pulvules 40 mg [Completed]
The objective of this study is to investigate the bioequivalence of Mylan's fluoxetine hydrochloride 40 mg capsules to Dista's Prozac 40 mg pulvules following a single, oral 40 mg (1 x 40 mg) dose administration under fasting conditions.

Open Label Trial of Fluoxetine for the Treatment of Depression in Patients With End Stage Renal Disease [Active, not recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to test whether once-weekly prozac therapy leads to reduction in depression in patients requiring kidney dialysis.

The Study of Olanzapine Plus Fluoxetine in Combination for Treatment of Treatment Resistant Depression [Completed]
The purposes of this study are to determine:

- Whether olanzapine plus fluoxetine in combination will help patients with

treatment-resistant major depression.

- The safety of olanzapine plus fluoxetine in combination, plus and any side effects that

might be associated with the combination.

- The effectiveness of olanzapine plus fluoxetine compared to olanzapine and fluoxetine

alone.

Effectiveness of Early Intervention With Fluoxetine in Enhancing Developmental Processes in Children With Autism (STAART Study 2) [Completed]

Danish Carvedilol Study in Portal Hypertension [Recruiting]
Patients with large esophageal varices who have not yet experienced bleeding, are normally treated with propranolol, a beta blocking agent that reduces the portal pressure and thereby diminish the risk of bleeding. 20-40% of the patients do not respond to this treatment or have to discontinue the treatment because of side effects. The aim of this study is to

evaluate if carvedilol (a combined alfa - beta blocker) has better efficacy and safety than

propranolol in lowering the portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis.

more trials >>

PROZAC PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Prozac review by 35 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Depression
Dosage & duration:		20mg. taken once a day for the period of past 3 years
Other conditions:		High cholesterol
Other drugs taken:		Lovastatin
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Within a few days, my mood, self-esteem, attitude and over-all well-being improved tremendously! I went from feeling suicidal and not being able to funtion properly in order to take care of myself or my family, to feeling better than I had since I was in my teens. I began to lose some of the weight I had gained from being depressed. I was in a wonderful mood and I had so much more energy than I had in years. My overall experience with Prozac has been perfect!
Side effects:		I have had no known side effects to this date. I do watch out for muscle cramps that last more than a week and I have blood work done once a year to ensure that my kidneys are not being affected.
Comments:		I started on 10 mgs. once a day and when that was tolerated well I went up to 40 mgs. This caused some insomnia and nervousness so my Dr. lowered it to 20 mgs. a day. There are still times I get depressed for a few days but that only happens once or twice a year and it is mild. I am looking at being on Prozac as long as my body toleates it, due to once being taken off I went into a fast downward spiral and had to begin again.

Prozac review by 50 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		depression
Dosage & duration:		40 mg, taken once a dag for the period of 21 years
Other conditions:		asthma
Other drugs taken:		Qvar, albuterol inhalers, birth control pills, claritin
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Taking Prozac has helped me to live a normal life. I was having a serious bout of depression when I first started taking Prozac, and the drug lifted the symptoms of extreme hopelessness and racing negative thoughts. I've tried to go off the medication but whenever I do, negative thoughts and the resulting emotions return. When I resume taking Prozac, the symptoms subside. The medicine allows me to challenge thoughts rather than react to them.
Side effects:		I have problems sleeping--not falling asleep but staying asleep. I sometimes feel nervous (that is, nervous energy, not anxiety). I'd also say that Prozac can make me feel numb, but it's better than being severely depressed. Overall, the side effects aren't bad enough for me to stop treatment or look for another medication.
Comments:		I've been taking 40 mg. of Prozac once a day for about 20 years (I started taking it about the time it first became available.)

Prozac review by 54 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Extremely Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		PMS
Dosage & duration:		20 mg taken 1 time a day for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		none, I felt worse. This is probably a drug that works for some people but didn't work at all for me in fact I felt much much worse. Unfortunately, I didn't review the contraindications.
Side effects:		I got a rash on the back of my neck that lasted for 1 year even though I only took Prozac for 2 months. Also, I couldn't sleep as a result of taking Prozac. It seemed like after I stopped taking it I still had it in my body because I couldn't get rid of the rash on my neck and it was very annoying. Thhis is the first time that anything like this has ever happened to me.
Comments:		i took it once a day for PMS