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Sarafem (Fluoxetine) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Sarafem (Fluoxetine) reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 13 ratings/reviews, Sarafem has an overall score of 7.77. The effectiveness score is 7.69 and the side effect score is 7.54. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Sarafem review by 27 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken once per day for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Releived moderate depression initially, and helped with anger and irritability control.
Side effects:   Sleeping too much, night sweats, vivid dreams, felt emotionally numb, cravings for carbohydrates and overeating, and had decreased libido.
Comments:   Started on 20 mg dose for 2 weeks, then increased to 40 mg. After 4 months the benefits decreased dramatically so switched to another drug, bupropion, but still taking 20 mg of fluoxetine daily.

 

Sarafem review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   20 mg daily taken 1 x daily for the period of 8 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I found that this drug helps significantly with my level of depression and monthly irritability that occurs around my menstrual cycles.
Side effects:   My sides effects were not noticeable and very mild. I have noticed some lower libido while on Fluoxetine, but no other noticeable side effects.
Comments:   This was prescribes to me for treatment for depression, seasonable disorder and hormonal irritability. I have gone off this medication while pregnant, but have resumed to help ease depression issues.

 

Sarafem review by 35 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   severe depression
Dosage & duration:   40mg taken once daily for the period of 6 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   A substantial improvement in mood was noticed within a week, hence the quick effect was very beneficial. The medication certainly made life much more enjoyable and enabled me to cope with general situations much better. Reduced general irritability. I took this medication during two pregnancies and found no ill effects of the new borns.
Side effects:   Some anxiety, especially when beginning this medication. Hyperhidrosis of axillae, which I found the most frustrating side effect. Severely reduced libido. Lethargy and general tiredness.
Comments:   I commenced this treatment due to clinical depression. I started off at a dose of 20mg a day and after initial improvement found that I needed an increase in the dose to 40mg per day. This seems to work more effectively for me. I became pregnant after approximately 10 months on the medication. I continued on with the same dose throughout the entire pregnancy. I did not breast feed. I then became pregnant very quickly again and continued on the medication for this pregnancy as well. Once again I did not breast feed. I have at times reduced my dose to 20mg which has been fine, however if I suffer a depressive episode I increase it to 40mg and generally find this is what I need to stay on.

 

Sarafem review by 59 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken once daily for the period of 13 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   stabilized mood, allowed for clearer thinking, improved sleep pattern, felt less anxious, made world look bright again.
Side effects:   none -- no weight loss unfortunately
Comments:   Started with 20 mg once daily. This worked for several years. When spouse endured 3 years of life-threatening illness, the dosage was increased to 40 mg taken as 2 20mg pills.

 

Sarafem review by care giver of 18 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Dosage & duration:   60 mgs taken once a day for the period of ongoing for 3 years
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Significant reduction in perseveration; increased flexibility; reduction in obsessions such as the weather leading to ability to cope better with daily events, unexpected changes, disappointments etc.and increased ability to interact more appropriately socially
Side effects:   Some initial impact to sleep patterns, some weight gain
Comments:   Initial dosage of 20 mgs, increased gradually to 60 mgs and maintained at that level have helped significantly with obsessions and impact of adolescence.

 

Sarafem review by 59 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken once daily for the period of 13 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   stabilized mood, allowed for clearer thinking, improved sleep pattern, felt less anxious, made world look bright again.
Side effects:   none -- no weight loss unfortunately
Comments:   Started with 20 mg once daily. This worked for several years. When spouse endured 3 years of life-threatening illness, the dosage was increased to 40 mg taken as 2 20mg pills.

 

Sarafem review by 31 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   60 mg taken daily for the period of 3 years
Other conditions:   OCD
Other drugs taken:   ritalin for 2 of the years, hydrocodone and maxalt for one of the years
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It kept me at a low-functioning level (work and occassional activities), which was an improvement for me. It kept me functioning due to decreased depression. I had taken it for a few years on and off before finally switching to another drug two days ago due to the drug becomming no longer effective. When I was younger and the drug was new to me it was much more effective.
Side effects:   Reduced libido Stopped working after several years, even after dosage increases
Comments:   40 mg of and on for years, then increased to 60 mg four months ago due to worsening depression. I am being switched to another medication as this drug is no longer effective.

 

Sarafem review by 24 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once a day for the period of 1 half monces so far
Other conditions:   anxiety
Other drugs taken:   Zopiclone
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   even when i have a low day prozac made me still be able to laugh at funny fings, where as before wen i was nt on dem, if i had a low day nothing would make me smile. I sleep less on them.
Side effects:   Loss of weight, considerably, feeling sick. They made me stop sleeping so much, but and hour after taken dem id feel so tired. I normaly have a high very very high libido, but since being on dem it has dropped considerably, and having an orgasm is hard and not as good. I've found im very short tempered, and anxiety levels can get quite high at times.
Comments:   to stay on dem till im in a better place

 

Sarafem review by 30 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   PMDD
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken 2 weeks out of the month for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   N/A
Other drugs taken:   Loestrin 24
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Not so emotional a week before and during my menstrual cycle. Relieved thoughts of suicide as well as given me more energy through that rough patch of my PMS cycle. Feelings have also calmed down with my loved ones. As I can be more relaxed as my anxiety level feels like it's at it's all time low.
Side effects:   I can only sleep a couple of hours a night while taking the pill. A day after the last pill is taken, I have a headache for about a couple of days.
Comments:   Two weeks out of the month I take 20 mg, every morning. I start on a Sunday a week before my menstrual cycle. Finish up the months' treatment 14 days later. ( which ends on a Saturday )

 

Sarafem review by 28 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once daily for the period of 5 mos now
Other conditions:   Bulimia
Other drugs taken:   Topamax
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   This drug improved my mood greatly. I can take more stress at work, in my romantic life, and family situations where as before, I would crawl under a rock and cry. A lot of people say that they don't feel much on this drug, but I think it was low enough to where I could have moderate lows and elevated highs. It helped me control my impulsive behavior with eating.
Side effects:   I had headaches if I didn't take it with enough food in my stomach. I also have insomnia, however, if you cut your intake of caffeine, it shouldn't be too severe.
Comments:   I took this at noon. It's a strange feeling on this drug because later in the day, I feel a bit strange. Either way, I know what people mean when they say that they feel a lot of indifference come over them at times they should be feeling overwhelming emotions. This drug helps me cope and sometimes I feel like I don't need it anymore, but I go right back on it when I feel the blues creeping up on me again.

 

Sarafem review by 59 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Anxiety
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once per day for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I did not find any benefit really. In fact it seemed to make me more anxious.
Side effects:   Anxiety
Comments:   I was prescribed this because of anxiety and mild depression by my GP but it did not improve my condition and seemed to make my anxiety worse. My anxiety was partly due to my personality and partly due to the fact that I had a mentally ill son which caused me a lot of worry and stress. My GP thought that SSRI's may help and prescribed fluoxetine. This did not help and he changed me to Cipramil which suited me better as it did not make my anxiety worse but it did not really help my anxiety that much so I stopped taking this as well.

 

Sarafem review by 16 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   bi-polar / anxiety
Dosage & duration:   10 mg taken once daily for the period of 2009-present
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It controlls my mood swings. It helps me think before i act or speak. It controlls amxiety. IT FREED ME TO LIVE MY LIFE HAPPILY!!! I cared about my life more. Everything had more meaning to me. I lived a very dull life before taking prozac.
Side effects:   I didnt really notice any side effects.
Comments:   This drug may not be for everyone but its wonderful for me! It makes me a totally different person, a better person.

 

Sarafem review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   20 mg. taken 1 x a day for the period of Off and on for 13 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   Birth control pills
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I have taken this drug off and on for the past 13 years. I have always had good results with it, but I wanted to go off it to have children. Then, after my last child, I tried to make it without medication, but I realized I couldn't. I am very careful about the medications I take and I don't like being stuck on anything. However, I realized that I needed help and my children needed a happy Mommy. I went back on Prozac (the generic form) 2 months ago and now feel better than I have in years. I can cope with the daily stresses of life without losing my temper, or my mind. I can face the responsibilities of each day without fear, hopelessness, or doubt. I can laugh and enjoy my children. I am truly a new person. I am regretting not going back on this medication sooner.
Side effects:   Honestly, the only side effect I have had is that it is harder to have an orgasm. I can still have them, but it just takes longer. I don't really feel "in the mood" as much, but that is a very small detriment compared to what I was experiencing before. I have had no other side effects whatsoever. I do not even feel "mediciney" or out of it at all and no stomach problems, either.
Comments:   I am planning on seeing my doctor every 6 months and have my blood checked once a year to check my liver, etc., but so far am doing great. I do see a counselor every 2 weeks, which is invaluable to me.
 


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