Prozac (Fluoxetine)

DescriptionProzac is one of the world's most widely prescribed antidepressants; it has been prescribed for more than 40 million people worldwide. Chances are, someone you know is getting better because of it. Prozac was the first of a new class of drugs, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to be approved for use in the United States. This new type of medication helps patients with depression by increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain. Scientists believe serotonin affects many types of activity in the brain, including the regulation of mood. Prozac was initially approved for treatment of depression in Belgium in 1986 and in the United States in 1987. Since then, it has been approved and marketed in more than 90 countries and prescribed for more than 40 million people worldwide. The safety and effectiveness of Prozac have been thoroughly studied in clinical trials with more than 11,000 patients. There have been more than 3,500 publications on Prozac in medical/scientific journals. Prozac is prescribed for the treatment of depression - that is, a continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination; decreased sex drive; increased fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating; slowed thinking; and suicidal thoughts. Prozac is also 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. In addition, Prozac is used to treat panic disorder, including panic associated with agoraphobia (a severe fear of being in crowds or public places). People with panic disorder usually suffer from panic attacks - feelings of intense fear that develop suddenly, often for no reason. Various symptoms occur during the attacks, including a rapid or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath.