Prozac – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Prozac (generic name: fluoxetine) is a drug used to treat major depressive disorder, eating disorders like bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. It belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and it works on chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression and other mental disorders.

It can also be used together with olanzapine (Zyprexia) to treat manic depression, one of the main symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Individuals who have taken an MAO inhibitor should wait at least 14 days before getting treated with Prozac. Likewise, those switching to MAO inhibitors from Prozac should wait five weeks after discontinuing the drug before they can start treatment.

Prozac and other SSRIs can result in suicidal thoughts, especially in younger people. Seek the advice of a healthcare professional if the patient being treated exhibits the following symptoms:

• Mood or behavior changes
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling impulsive and irritable
• Increased agitation, hostility, and aggressiveness
• Restlessness and hyperactivity

Inform your healthcare professional about the use of antidepressants before starting Prozac treatments. In some cases, fluoxetine – the active ingredient in the drug – can interact with other medicines and cause a dangerous condition known as serotonin syndrome.

Known health risks or side effects of Prozac

Individuals with the following conditions should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before starting Prozac treatments:

• Liver cirrhosis
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Bipolar disorder, in particular, manic depression
• History of drug abuse

Likewise, those who are being treated with electroconvulsive therapy should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before taking Prozac.

Taking Prozac together with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) could result in the bruising or bleeding.

Common side effects of taking Prozac include:

• Sleep problems
• Strange dreams
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Changes in vision
• Tremors or shaking
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Upset stomach or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained changes in weight
• Stuffy nose and sinus pain
• A sore throat
• Decreased sex drive and difficulty having an orgasm
• Impotence

Individuals taking Prozac may experience impaired thinking and delayed reactions, which could be life-threatening when driving or operating heavy machinery.

Seek medical treatment immediately if a person experiences the following symptoms:

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction, including hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling
• Worsening symptoms, such as behavioral changes or further depression
• Pain in the eyes, seeing halos around lights, tunnel vision, and swelling in the eyes
• Increased levels of serotonin in the body
• Low sodium levels
• Severe reactions in the nervous system or skin

Body systems that might be affected by Prozac

The side effects of Prozac may harm the body’s nervous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, genitourinary, metabolic, immunologic, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems.

Food items or nutrients that have similar effects to Prozac

The following herbs are effective natural alternatives to SSRIs. However, while these are natural, these should not be mixed with SSRIs or even with each other, as this can have potentially serious side effects.

• SAM-e – SAM-e, which stands for s-adenosyl methionine, is a naturally occurring compound that’s found in every cell of the body and the brain. It’s also known to relieve depression faster than prescription medication. Individuals taking drugs that affect serotonin release should not use SAM-e, as it can result in serotonin syndrome.
• Tryptophan – Tryptophan is present in high-protein foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and eggs; however, when used as a supplement, it’s known to be effective in treating conditions such as anxiety, seasonal affective disorder, and memory loss.
• Saffron – Saffron (Crocus sativus) extracts can effectively treat cases of mild to moderate depression with similar results as that of fluoxetine. Aside from being an antidepressant, it’s also known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
• Turmeric and curcumin – Unlike other antidepressant drugs, turmeric is safe to combine with both natural and prescription medication. Its active ingredient, curcumin, is a potent adjunct to prescription antidepressants, with some studies indicating that it’s as effective, if not better, than Prozac.
• Acetyl-l-carnitine – Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC or ALCAR) is a brain booster that is used as a natural antidepressant, and it’s known to work better than prescription medication. A great bonus is that it also improves mental clarity, focus, and memory.
• Arctic root – Arctic root (Rhodiola rosea) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase stamina and reduce fatigue. It’s also known to work better than most antidepressant medications in reducing depression symptoms, which it does in as little as one week.
• St. John’s Wort – St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a popular herbal remedy for treating symptoms of depression. However, one drawback of using St. John’s wort is that it has side effects that are very similar to that of prescription drugs, including anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, nausea, and spikes in blood pressure. In the same manner, it shouldn’t be taken with SSRIs or other herbs as it can lead to severely adverse reactions.

Treatments, management options for the side effects of Prozac

Here are some ways to naturally deal with the side effects of Prozac.

Nausea

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Drink plenty of fluids.

Increased appetite and weight gain

• Get regular physical exercise each week.
• Avoid eating sweets and sugary drinks.
• Add more vegetables and fruits to your diet.

Sexual side effects

• Schedule sexual activity before taking medication.
• Consult with your partner about adjusting your routine and the effects of the drug.

Fatigue and drowsiness

• Take naps during the day.
• If possible, get some physical activity.
• Avoid driving or operating heavy and dangerous machinery until the effects pass.

Insomnia

• Avoid caffeine (especially in food and drink) late in the day.
• If you regularly exercise, complete it several hours before bedtime so that it doesn’t interfere with sleep.

Where to learn more

• Prozac? Zoloft? Paxil? Did one of these drugs drive the Empire State shooter?
• Prozac Increasingly Prescribed to Depressed Parrots and Other Pets
• Medical insanity: Prozac prescriptions rise sharply in family pets
• Forget Prozac – Try probiotics to ease anxiety, curb depression and elevate mood
• Prozac may stunt bone growth in children, new research suggests

Summary

Prozac is used to treat disorders such as depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.

Prozac is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Prozac works on chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression.

Prozac can trigger thoughts of suicide, especially in younger people.

Prozac can damage the body’s nervous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, genitourinary, metabolic, immunologic, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems.

Sources include:

Drugs.com 1

Drugs.com 2

Reset.me

MayoClinic.org