Prozac

Post a comment












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
If you or someone you know has had a problem with Prozac feel free to call the advertising section of FDA at (301) 827-2828. Also fill out the Medwatch form and also call FDA at 1-800-FDA 1088 press 0 or call (301) 443-1240.
Prozac Feedback and Side Effects

I have been taking Prozac for four years now, and usually find they are helping my depression. I take on every day, and when I feel one is not enough, I take two, but that is not often. But today I am depressed and I am trying to analyse why. It will pass and I will continue my Prozac as my quality of life has changed so much since I took them, and usually I feel good. I do recommend that anyone who is depressed take something as it is very hard to cope with.

Susanna

Posted by: susan fiszman at November 9, 2004 4:14 AM

Mostly positive for prozac: Have been on it off and on for 4 years. I go off it because over time it has made me gain weight. I go back on it because without it I plunge back into depression that other meds and natural things do not help.

Posted by: frazzle_brain at November 13, 2004 6:38 PM

Both times I was on Prozac for my depression I found it caused me feelings of great anxiety! Also after the initial 6 month period or so of use I gained well over 30 pounds! It is very depressing to myself recovering from bulimia and working on living a "positive" life to have to fight a weight problem not of my own making!

Posted by: at November 27, 2004 3:44 PM

Both times I was on Prozac for my depression I found it caused me feelings of great anxiety! Also after the initial 6 month period or so of use I gained well over 30 pounds! It is very depressing to myself recovering from bulimia and working on living a "positive" life to have to fight a weight problem not of my own making!

Posted by: at November 27, 2004 3:44 PM

I started out on like 3 20 pills a day, but am now down to 1 a day. It seems to work, although its hard to tell because it takes so long to kick in. I have found this site useful in finding information about drug and alcohol rehab as well, [SPAM REMOVED]

Glad to find this blog,

John

Posted by: John at January 4, 2005 2:49 PM

I have been taking 20mg of prozac daily for about three years now, at first I was on Zoloft for 1yr but thought I could do without, but after a few months, I called my Doctor and told her that I needed something for depression. I could'nt stand myself, I became misserable to my love ones, dwelled on simple things, and cryed for no reason. Now I realize that this is an effect of my female hormones ( I have been tracking). At this point I feel good, I'm able to cope with my feelings month to month.

Posted by: sherry at January 4, 2005 8:42 PM

Prozac. I have been taking this for 4 years and have now developed a rash on my face so I have temporarily stopped and am taking something herbal. I am ok and if necessary I will return to it. The rash has cleared up since I stopped

Posted by: susana at March 3, 2005 7:24 AM

I was given prozac to help my manic depression more then a year ago. Since then I have had more suicide attempts then before and have become in more ways bi-polar because of the medication. At 40mg my doctor felt that because I was eighteen that I should not increase my medication. However, he would not change my meds even though I was certian that the prozac was not helping me one bit. I have (against my doctors permission) stopped taking my medication. It has been only a month, and even thougth there some frustrating areas in my life right now, I am handling them much better with my prescription.

To prozac I say NOOO! Well that is in my case.

Posted by: Monica at March 16, 2005 6:35 PM

I've been on Prozac for about two (2) years now. Before that, I lost my job because I couldn't handle being around people at work...or anywhere else for that matter! I went from being a very successful person, to one that couldn't even go into the store. My wife did everything...shopping,stores and anything that required coming into contact with people. The doctors went thru the usual ssri's, all without any success. After a short period of adjustment to the Prozac (about three months) I found I could start to deal with people. Now, two years later, I find I am in a position to go back to school and deal with the pressures of people. It's never as good as it was before, but at least now I can carry my share of the load in life. So far, I can only say good things about Prozc.

Posted by: tnv at May 28, 2005 12:59 PM

I started antidepressants more than a year ago, and learned one thing and one thing only.....anti-depressants will not give you a "high" so that you can better enjoy your life and feel good about yourself.

Antidepressants merely attempt to keep you out of dispair (attemtping suicide, etc.)

I took Prozac for depression for several months and experienced a number of side-effects. These includes, horrific nightmares, dizziness, high blood pressure, horrible feelings of fear. These are just a few things that I can remember off the top of my head.

I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was a very frightening experience. DON'T start a drug without doing some serious research, talking to a therapist and considering the complications that could result from the side-effects of the drug itself.

Posted by: Andi at May 29, 2005 7:59 PM

I have taken prozac for the last 10 years--it, along with therapy, literally saved my life.

I have used the Mallinckrodt generic for the last few years with no ill effects. My psychiatrist always checks with me to see if it still works for me, stating that often generics do not work as well as the original.

After spending 1 1/2 weeks as an emotional wreck, crying for no reason, unable to sleep and eating like there was no tomorrow, I remembered that the pharmacy had given me a blue-colored generic--which turned out to be the IVX brand. I contacted my psychiatrist, asked her if this was what could be happening and she told me I should immediately get back on the green/white generic.

I did, and am feeling infinitely better already. However, when I went to pick it up, the pharmacist said something along the lines of, "Wow, you're not the first one this has happened to. Maybe we shouldn't dispense this any more..."

People taking IVX brand Prozac should be aware of this--I came completely unhinged.

Thank you.

Posted by: Anne Kircher at June 14, 2005 5:32 PM

i take a generic called magrilan which is available herein cyprus. I tried to stop prozac but cannot. It is wonderful I take just one every morning. Been doing this for 6 years and life takes on a beautiful color susana

Posted by: susana at June 26, 2005 5:45 PM

I have just started on prozac. I mean as in I started it about four weeks ago and I can't say I see much of a change. I actually feel pretty much worse. I have had nausea loss of appetite and a few other small things. NOt sure if it is the prozac or the depression though. I guess I'll give it some more time and see how things go.

Posted by: Lori at April 19, 2006 6:54 PM

I just started prozac a few weeks ago and noticed loss of appetite and nausea I am asking if anyone has had diarrhea with it I would like to hear some feedback and if so when did it go away.

Posted by: janice at May 27, 2006 11:24 PM

I think I'v been depressed my whole life...i just didn't know it.. i thougt that it just was a way of life. when i started taking prozac, i felt nothing for the first month or two....also, i felt like I didn't want to sleep with my husband...then the dr. prescribed wellbutrin to help the sexual side-affects, which, by the way, really helped and still does. However, when i am pmsing or ovulating, i'm a total mess...i go back to feeling like the old days (b4 prozac and wellbutrin) I don't know what to do. Dr. wants me to increase the dosage, but when i do, i feel like i' just took some uppers. Anyone have this experience? going to

Posted by: at May 30, 2006 12:23 AM

My son is 11 years old and diagnosed with depression. He was prescribed prozac today and I am very nervous about putting him on it. I have been on many antidepressants and very familiar with them but with children I am very cautious. Does anyone out there have any input?

Thanks

Posted by: Kim at June 13, 2006 7:14 PM

My son is 11 years old and diagnosed with depression. He was prescribed prozac today and I am very nervous about putting him on it. I have been on many antidepressants and very familiar with them but with children I am very cautious. Does anyone out there have any input?

Thanks

Posted by: Kim at June 13, 2006 7:14 PM

This year makes 5 years I have been on Prozac.
Prozac has worked better for me than any other anti-depressant the doctor has tried.

I have suffered with depression my entire life, and so I speak from real experience.

There are times when my dosage needs to be adjusted, as I still have times when the depression is worse than other occaisions. For the most part, I am able to do the things I enjoy even though I move a bit slower and have to watch how much I take on at once.

The bad thing in my experience is that every attack of depression slows me down more than the last one. I bounce back quickly, but more energy is sapped from me with every occurrence.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 13, 2006 11:58 PM

I have only been on prozac for a few weeks, I'm coming up to a month now, and I've never felt so bad. For me, it's exactly the same as the symptoms of depression at the moment, except I'm more prepared to commit suicide. I know though that it's just the first month and I'm trying to be positive, but I don't want to go out, or do anything, see anyone, eat, or live a life. I just sit in my room most of the time, and I can't sleep at all. So far it has been hell and I'm trying to think positive about the future, as it's only been the initial month and takes a lot longer to work, but I want to go back to my doctor and tell him that I hate it and it's making me more suicidal. I think perhaps patients on prozac or any anti depressants need therapy at least to get through the initial period when it doesn't really work. Hopefully it'll get better.

Posted by: Someone at July 18, 2006 6:30 AM

Ive been on prozac for 8 days and I stay tired and have a headache, not sure I am going to keep taking it. I felt depressed before but atleast it didnt take me an hour to take a bath. Not sure what I am going to do... My doctor want change my medicine now. Any suggestions?

Posted by: Sherry Young at July 18, 2006 1:19 PM

I have been taking between 20-60mg of Prozac per day for the past 6 years (usually 60). I'm seriously starting to wonder about the long-term effects. They HAS to be some kind of negative effect on my body after all this time. Is there anything I should know? I can't seem to find any info online.

Posted by: Rosanda at July 19, 2006 1:04 PM

I just started taking 40mg per day last week. Right now I feel pretty disoriented and light-headed. I haven't eaten much today, but I'm really not hungry right now. I had two cups of coffee already, but that's normal for me.

Posted by: GPP at August 7, 2006 7:20 PM

Have been taking prozac for about 4 weeks now, not feeling much different either, still extremeley depressed gonna stick it out though because i think if your at rock bottom the only way is up!!!!

Posted by: sam at October 20, 2006 9:04 AM

I've been on Prozac for 4 years. 20Mg per day and sometimes 40Mg when I'm worse. Most of the 4 years have been OK but I am having a lot of trouble right now as I tried to cut down six weeks ago.

Posted by: Bruce at November 7, 2006 1:12 PM

hi i am so afrade of meds after taking paxil it really scared the life out of me and now i don't want to take any meds but i thank i may have to i just can't funktion well i do daily activities but i still feel vary bad please someone help tell me what worked for u email me at sonyahdoor@yahoo.com

Posted by: lisa at November 11, 2006 7:56 PM

ive had manic depression for about 2 years now, dont know why it started and dont really care, just want it gone. my doctor did nothing about it when i first was diagnosed,yeah that dick, and after a suicide attempt a different doctor put me on prozac. i dont really see a change in myself, except for fighting with my boyfriend constantly about nothing which is lame because i love him with all my heart, and crying over useless stuff all the time, etc...honestly it makes me feel worse off about myself because everytime i lash out and hate the world i hurt the ones around me who i love most. this brings me to the conclusion of going off my meds. good luck to you all...and may god be with me.

Posted by: mandi-lee at November 18, 2006 9:34 PM

I have been on Prozac for 20 days now, and I feel like my mind is wired, I can't sleep, increased anxiety, which in turn I have to take a Xaxan to controll that. I can focus more, but my mind races. At times I have muscle tighness, especially at night. Please help, should I have my dose increased to 40mg (I take 20mg now.), I would think the 40mg would conteract the 20mg and hel me feel normal again. PLEASE HELP!

Posted by: Stephanie at March 27, 2007 12:28 PM

my boyfriend is on prozac, and has been for the past year, ever since he's been having trouble with being honest with me, he's lost his appetite, constantly lacking memory, and just a wide change in his behavior......is this due to him being on prozac?

Posted by: Quinton at April 2, 2007 12:02 AM

i have been taking prozac since mid march 07 started out with 10 mg for two weeks now taking 20mg and cant seem too kick this nervous feeling anybody know if this will subside or should i see the doctor

Posted by: tlind at April 12, 2007 11:50 AM

Get Help

If you need help please visit Hopeline.com or call them at (1 800 784 2833).

Demystifying Depression is a great article which helped me understand some of the ways depression was affecting me.

Start a Blog

Many people who are depressed simply lack the ability to channel their energies or express themselves. Sometimes just by writing things down it is easy to feel better about things that happen to you.

If you think expressing yourself or writing your thoughts down might help you then you may want to start a blog. Blogger is 100% free and easy to use.

Here is my friend Heather's Health Bee, which is about recovering from depression and other related illnesses.