Prozac 20mg

Prozac general information

What is Prozac used for?

Prozac capsules 20mg are used to treat depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide. Prozac capsules 20mg are also used to treat other mood disorders that affect daily activities and relationships with others including, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder in adults and children; also, bulimia nervosa and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome.

How does Prozac work?

Prozac capsules 20mg contain fluoxetine which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Prozac capsules 20mg act in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance that is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack of serotonin (a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) which controls many body activities, including regulating mood. Fluoxetine in Prozac capsules 20mg block the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another. If the re-uptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer. The action of Prozac capsules 20mg helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.

What does Prozac contain?

Prozac capsules 20mg contain the active ingredient fluoxetine which is an SSRI antidepressant used to treat symptoms of depression. They also contain maize starch and dimethicone 350. The capsule shell is made of gelatin and contains the following dyes: E131, E172, titanium dioxide and edible black ink.

Treating depression with Prozac

Prozac capsules 20mg contain fluoxetine, which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide. One of the major causes of depression is thought to be a lack of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) that controls mood. Prozac works by specifically blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other. By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of depression.

Prozac for bulimia nervosa

Prozac capsules 20mg contain fluoxetine, which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of bulimia nervosa, which is an psychiatric eating disorder that involves binge eating in response to an stress, depression or anxiety, followed by compensatory behaviour usually induced vomiting. One of the causes this type of anxiety behaviour seen in bulimia nervosa is thought to be low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) and if there is a lack of serotonin, the brain cells involved in nerve pathways that control mood changes generate feelings of anxiety and panic instead of well-being, which is associated with high levels of serotonin. Fluoxetine in Prozac capsules 20mg works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other. By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of bulimia nervosa.

What are the side effects of Prozac?

The more common side effects reported when taking Prozac capsules 20mg are generally mild and transient and usually disappear with continued treatment. They include: headache, unsteadiness when walking, tremors, decreased or loss of appetite, change in taste, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, sleeplessness, unusual dreams, fatigue, drowsiness, increased sweating, sexual problems, impaired concentration.

When should Prozac not be used?

You should not use Prozac if you:

• are allergic to fluoxetine or any of the ingredients in Prozac capsules 20mg
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• are taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Prozac or within 14 days of taking Prozac
• taking other medication that interact with Prozac, including: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan, or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), migraine medicines like sumatriptan, the antipsychotic pimozide, herbal remedies containing St. John´s Wort
• are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Prozac

What medications interact with Prozac?

Several medications interact with Prozac and should either not be taken while you are taking Lexapro or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Prozac: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression; serotonergic drugs like the analgesic tramadol, as these may increase risk of serotonin syndrome
• Drugs that affect Prozac: lithium for depression; tryptophan or lithium (mood alteration); phentermine (weight-reducing medicines); migraine medication like sumatriptan; St John's wort, a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders; cimetidine for reflux and ulcers
• Drugs that are affected by Prozac: phenytoin for epilepsy; the antipsychotic pimozide; the anticoagulant warfarin; clozapine for schizophrenia; sedatives like diazepam; tolbutamide for diabetes

How should Prozac be taken?

You should take your Prozac capsules 20mg with a glass of water, swallowed whole, with or without food usually once a day, at the same time each day, for several weeks or months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for.

How long should you take Prozac?

You should take your Prozac capsules 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.

Missed dose of Prozac

If you miss a dose of Prozac capsules 20mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Prozac be stored?

You should keep your Prozac capsules 20mg in their blister packs until use and store below 25°C in a cool dry place.