Prozac (fluoxetine)

Prozac is a brand name for the active ingredient fluoxetine. Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribed for treating depression, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and other mood disorders as described in the DSM IV. An SSRI works by preventing the reuptake of serotonin after it is released in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain and is and is released by the nerves in the brain. From the nerve the serotonin can either attach itself to a receptor or return to the nerve from which it originated. This return to the nerve is called reuptake.

Many experts believe that the reuptake of serotonin in the nerves of the brain is a leading cause of depression. Prozac is designed to prevent the reuptake of serotonin and allows it to make its' way to the receptors. The recommended dosage of Prozac in adults is 20-80 mg daily. Recommended dosage in children is 10-20 mg daily. After daily dosing for 13 consecutive weeks, physicians may drop the patient’s dosage to once weekly. 60 mg of Prozac daily is generally prescribed for the treatment of Bulimia. 52 weeks of treatment is typically required for the remission of Bulimia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is generally treated with 20-60 mg of Prozac daily in both adults and children. 10-50 mg of Prozac daily is generally prescribed for patients suffering from panic disorder. Treatment of PMDD is typically 20 mg of Prozac taken every day of the menstrual cycle or for 14 days prior to the beginning of menstruation through the first days of menses.

Prozac, as with many anti-depressants, can cause nausea, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, drowsiness and a loss of appetite. The risk of suicidal thinking in children increases with the use of anti-depressants. This factor should be carefully weighed along with the clinical need for anti-depressants pertaining to children.