Prozac is a member of the family of drugs called "selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors." Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers believed to govern moods. Ordinarily, it is quickly reabsorbed after its release at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such as Prozac slow this process, thereby boosting the levels of serotonin available in the brain.

Prozac is a drug that was released by the Eli Lilly corporation in 1987 aimed at fighting depression. Prozac is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. Official Prozac Website

Directions
Take Prozac by mouth usually once daily in the morning, with or without food; or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Some medical conditions may require a different dosing schedule (e.g., twice daily in the morning and at noon) as determined by your doctor. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. It is important to continue taking Prozac even if you feel well. Also, do not stop taking Prozac without consulting your doctor. It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of Prozac takes effect.

Precautions
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver problems, kidney disease, seizures, heart problems, diabetes, any allergies. Prozac may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Liquid preparations of Prozac may contain sugar and/or small amounts of alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of Prozac. Caution is advised when using Prozac in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Prozac should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Prozac passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Prozac is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions
Certain medications taken with Prozac could result in serious, even fatal, drug interactions. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks, and avoid taking thioridazine within 5 weeks, before or after treatment with Prozac. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for additional information. Prozac is not recommended for use with: weight loss medicine (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine), thioridazine, terfenadine, astemizole. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: other SSRI antidepressants (e.g., citalopram, sertraline), nefazodone, trazodone, venlafaxine, "triptan" migraine drugs (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), flecainide, propafenone, haloperidol, clozapine, lithium, tryptophan, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin/hydantoins), herbal/natural products (e.g., St John's wort, ayahuasca). Tell your doctor if you take any drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., alprazolam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), muscle relaxants, psychiatric medicine (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products. Report other drugs which affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation), such as: dofetilide, pimozide, sotalol, quinidine, procainamide, sparfloxacin, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Fluoxetine may affect the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. If you take any anti-diabetes medication (e.g., glipizide, glyburide, metformin), your dosage of these drugs may need to be adjusted when fluoxetine is started or discontinued. Consult your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

More Anti-Depressants

Celexa is a drug that was released by the Forest Pharmaceuticals corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Celexa on July 17, 1998. Celexa is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. The effects of this medication can usually be seen in two to three weeks, though some patients may require four or more weeks to feel better.

Lexapro [escitalopram] is an antidepressant that works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.

Luvox is the brand name for Fluvoxamine, an antidepressant and antiobsessional drug. Luvox is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is often prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This drug is used to relieve anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that cause a person to repeat certain tasks.

Paxil (Paroxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety disorder.

Prozac is an antidepressant often prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.

Remeron is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997. Remeron was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated with depression.

Wellbutrin is a relatively new antidepressant medication and is prescribed to help relieve certain kinds of major depression. As with other antidepressants, it is unknown exactly how Wellbutrin works. Scientists believe that Wellbutrin treats depression by affecting two chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These are two of the chemicals that are believed to help regulate your mood.

Zoloft is an antidepressant drug that was released by the Pfizer corporation in 1991 which aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Zoloft in October of 1997. Zoloft is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells.