Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnderstanding ProzacHow Quickly Does It Work?EfficacyDosing GuidelinesSide EffectsWho Should Avoid Prozac?InteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Understanding Prozac
How Quickly Does It Work?
Efficacy
Dosing Guidelines
Side Effects
Who Should Avoid Prozac?
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Prozac is also used to treat other mental health conditions in adults and children, such asobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),panic disorders, and someeating disorders.
Healthcare providers view Prozac as an effective drug that improves symptoms within one to two weeks of consistent use.However, Prozac does carry aboxed warningdue to its potential for increasedsuicidal thinking.
For those facing the conditions mentioned above, having access to reliable medication that can effectively assist in managing their day-to-day symptoms is crucial to productively going about their day and having healthy, stable relationships with others.
Read on for more information regarding the safe and effective use of Prozac, including information regarding its guidelines, storage requirements, and potential for side effects.
Milko / Getty Images
The FDA approves Prozac for the treatment and management of the following:
Most adults (people 18 and older) can take Prozac for depression, OCD, and bulimia. However, children and adolescents 8 and older can safely take it for MDD.
Furthermore, Prozac is also used as a combinational treatment (treatment that combines two or more therapeutic agents) with Zyprexa (olanzapine) for the following:
Off-Label Uses
Prozac is also used off-label (the practice of prescribing a drug for a different purpose than what the FDA approved) to treat the following:
How Does Prozac Work?
The high serotonin levels carry signals between neurons, providing the sensation of happiness and reducing depression disorder.
As mentioned above, Prozac comes with an FDA boxed warning about an increased risk of suicide in people with MDD. Young adults, teenagers, and children may experience worsening depression and may be more likely to become suicidal.
Close monitoring and emotional help can ease the symptoms in these people to avoid any harm.
How Quickly Does Prozac Work?
Prozac shows some improvement in sleep, energy, or appetite within one to two weeks. However, a person’s depressed mood and lack of interest in daily activities may need up to six to eight weeks to improve fully.
Prozac may take four to five weeks or longer to improve a person’s symptoms or achieve therapeutic effects.
However, know that the timing of Prozac’s ability to work is not entirely definitive, meaning that various factors may affect how quickly it affects each person.
Such factors include the following:
Continue to take Prozac even if you feel well. Do not stop taking it without talking to your healthcare provider. Sudden discontinuation of Prozac may cause withdrawal symptoms.
How Effective Is Prozac?
SSRIs are effective in treating the symptoms of depression. The results from the studies on people with severe depression state that SSRIs are more likely to relieve the symptoms than other antidepressants or those who take a placebo.
In one study, over half of the participants (people 16 to 65 years old) who received 20 milligrams (mg) of Prozac daily for eight weeks showed improved symptoms improved within two weeks.
Furthermore, the cumulative response to Prozac in people of different ages at four and six weeks was 80.2% and 89.5%, respectively.
Available data indicates that improvement from Prozac treatment predominantly occurs within the first two weeks.
More research needs to be done on the exact time-to-effect and risks of Prozac, but current evidence suggests it is an appropriate first-line treatment option.
Prozac is available in the following forms of administration:
For context, know that the delayed-release formulation (90 mg once weekly) is similar to receiving the 20 mg daily variation of Prozac.
Given below is a general overview of the dosing range of Prozac for various indications in adults and children:
The frequency and the dose amount should be reduced when used in people with hepatic impairment (liver problems), older adults, and people with concurrent disease or on multiple concomitant medications.
Your healthcare provider will determine the most suitable dose for you.
Side Effects & Safety
Prozac is an effective drug when used as prescribed. However, like other SSRI medications, it carries both common and mild and rare and severe side effects.
Therefore, closely monitor yourself or a loved one for the potential emergence of any adverse effects.
If you notice that these or other side effects begin to worsen or do not dissipate, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Finally, per its boxed warning, be acutely aware of the emergence of suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects associated with the use of Prozac (these side effects will often improve over one week or two) include:
Severe Side Effects
More rare but severe side effects associated with the use of Prozac include:
Also, know that Prozac may decrease appetite and cause weight loss in children. Monitor a child’s growth carefully. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about the risks of giving Prozac to your child.
Call your healthcare provider right away if anyone taking Prozac experiences any of the following symptoms:
Call for medical help, and don’t wait for these symptoms to disappear or manage yourself.
Do not take Prozac:
Generally, you should wait at least14 daysafter stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take Prozac. Also, wait at leastfive weeksafter stopping Prozac before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI.
To make sure Prozac is safe for you, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Potential for Interaction
Prozac may cause drug-drug interaction with other drugs.
Be careful while using the following drugs when taking Prozac:
Tell your healthcare provider about all your over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines.
Your healthcare provider may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Summary
Depression and anxiety disorders can negatively affect the quality of life. These conditions of despair are becoming more prevalent in Western society across all age demographics, particularly in younger people.
Fortunately, for those clinically diagnosed with mental health conditions, such as MDD, anxiety, or an eating disorder, pharmaceutical treatment options, like Prozac, do exist.
However, Prozac, or other SSRIs, must be used only under professional healthcare supervision due to its potential for increased suicidal thoughts or desires.
Because Prozac takes several weeks to work, dosing guidelines must be followed closely.
Additionally, while on Prozac, closely monitor yourself or a loved one for the emergence of adverse effects, and never be hesitant to ask for guidance from your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStore Prozac tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture—store at room temperature (between 68 and 77 F).Keep all medications away from the sight and reach of children and pets. Store Prozac tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture.Discard unneeded or expired medications, including Prozac, to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet or throw it away in the trash.The best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Ask your pharmacist or contact your local waste management department in your community.Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. It may interfere with everyday functioning and affect you very badly if it lasts long.In general‚ one out of every six adults will have depression at some time.According to statistics, depression affects nearly 16 million American adults every year. Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression.
Store Prozac tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture—store at room temperature (between 68 and 77 F).Keep all medications away from the sight and reach of children and pets. Store Prozac tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture.
Store Prozac tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture—store at room temperature (between 68 and 77 F).
Keep all medications away from the sight and reach of children and pets. Store Prozac tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture.
Discard unneeded or expired medications, including Prozac, to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet or throw it away in the trash.The best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Ask your pharmacist or contact your local waste management department in your community.
Discard unneeded or expired medications, including Prozac, to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet or throw it away in the trash.
The best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Ask your pharmacist or contact your local waste management department in your community.
Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. It may interfere with everyday functioning and affect you very badly if it lasts long.In general‚ one out of every six adults will have depression at some time.According to statistics, depression affects nearly 16 million American adults every year. Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression.
Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. It may interfere with everyday functioning and affect you very badly if it lasts long.
In general‚ one out of every six adults will have depression at some time.
According to statistics, depression affects nearly 16 million American adults every year. Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DailyMed.Label: Prozac- fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule.
MedlinePlus.Fluoxetine.
Nierenberg AA, Farabaugh AH, Alpert JE, et al.Timing of onset of antidepressant response with fluoxetine treatment.Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(9):1423-1428. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.157.9.1423
National Health Service.How to cope with depression.
National Health Service.About fluoxetine.
American addiction Centers.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs.
Yan T, Goldman RD.Time-to-effect of fluoxetine in children with depression.Can Fam Physician.2019;65(8):549-551.
Rossi A, Barraco A, Donda P.Fluoxetine: a review on evidence based medicine.Ann Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2004;3(1):2. doi:10.1186/1475-2832-3-2
Wagstaff AJ, Goa KL.Once-weekly fluoxetine.Drugs. 2001;61(15):2221-2230. doi:10.2165/00003495-200161150-00006
Jing E, Straw-Wilson K.Sexual dysfunction in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and potential solutions: a narrative literature review.Ment Health Clin. 2016;6(4):191-196. doi:10.9740/mhc.2016.07.191
National Health Service.Common questions about fluoxetine.
Lu W.Adolescent depression: national trends, risk factors, and healthcare disparities.Am J Health Behav. 2019;43(1):181-194. doi:10.5993/AJHB.43.1.15
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Fluoxetine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mental health conditions: depression and anxiety.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
