Information About Fluoxetine, Sold As Prozac or Sarafem

Type of Medication: SSRI

Fluoxetine is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.

Variants include Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem.

Benefits of Fluoxetine (Prozac) for Depression and Other Conditions

Fluoxetine is widely prescribed to help treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the eating disorder bulimia nervosa. SSRIs in general are also finding broader use in the treatment of anxiety (usually at lower doses), social phobia and social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic, pre-menstrual syndrome and agoraphobia. Fluoxetine is marketed specifically under the brand name Sarafem for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Side Effects of Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Please note that the following side effects include only some of the most common and somewhat less common but do not include rarer side effects; the list is not exhaustive. Many people taking Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) experience none of these side effects. Please consult a physician about any unusual symptoms.

Common

Some of the more common side effects of Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• insomnia
• dry mouth
• dyspepsia
• anxiety
• sexual dysfunction

Less Common

Some of the less common side effects of Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) include:

• drowsiness
• headache
• loss of appetite
• asthenia (weakness)
• diarrhoea

Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Alcohol

SSRIs including Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) may cause some drowsiness, and alcohol should be avoided except in moderation. Please consult a physician for advice about driving or operating heavy machinery while taking SSRIs.

Stopping Fluoxetine (Prozac): Discontinuation Effects or Withdrawal Symptoms

It is best to consult a physician before discontinuing SSRIs. Stopping taking Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) or other SSRIs suddenly may cause discontinuation effects, or withdrawal symptoms, including:

Should You Buy Fluoxetine (Prozac) Online?

Particularly in the United States, many individuals choose to purchase medications online, either for reasons of cost savings, privacy, or both. Both brand-name Prozac and so-called 'generic Prozac' (i.e., Fluoxetine without the Prozac brand name) can sometimes be purchased at deep discounts (and sometimes without a prescription) in this way. Before undertaking any purchase of medications online, however -- and certainly if you are contemplating doing so without a prior prescription -- please consider the integrity of the supplier and the national and/or local laws which may apply where you live.

» Please see our page on Buying Discount Drugs Online for recommendations as well as caveats… (Specific sites we mention include DrugsPark, MedBasket, FrugalMed and Topills.)

Information Sources and Disclaimer

The information provided here has been summarized in good faith purely for educational purposes. It is not intended in any way to replace the advice of a qualified medical professional. Please do not take any action on the basis of information contained here without consulting a physician. Unless otherwise specified, information is intended to apply only to adult use of the medication. Drug interaction precautions have not been included; please consult another source for this information.

All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Information sources:

• United States FDA-approved Product Insert for Prozac (PDF)
• United States FDA-approved Product Insert for Sarafem (PDF)
• Your Medicines -- Any Questions?
• British National Formulary