What is Prozac: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 15, 2024  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Prozac overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • PROzac, Sarafem, Sarafem, Sarafem

Generic Names:

  • Fluoxetine Hcl

Uses:

  • Treats depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. This medicine is an SSRI.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antidepressant, Central Nervous System Agent

Forms:

  • Capsule, Delayed Release Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Prozac come in

  • Capsule

  • Delayed Release Capsule

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

Common Prozac prescriptions

  • PROzac
    10 capsules bottle

  • PROzac
    100 capsules bottle

  • PROzac
    14 capsules bottle

  • PROzac
    22 capsules bottle

  • PROzac
    30 capsules bottle

  • PROzac
    40 capsules bottle

  • PROzac
    50 capsules bottle

  • PROzac
    10mg capsule

  • PROzac
    20mg capsule

  • PROzac
    40mg capsule

How to take Prozac

  • Delayed-release capsule: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Every day dose (Prozac® or Sarafem®): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.Once-a-week dose (Prozac® Weekly„¢): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. Then go back to your regular schedule the next week. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Take your medicine at the same time each day.

  • You may need to take this medicine for a month or longer before you feel better. If you feel that the medicine is not working well, tell your doctor right away. Do not take more than your normal dose.

  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Missed dose: Every day dose (Prozac® or Sarafem®): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.Once-a-week dose (Prozac® Weekly„¢): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. Then go back to your regular schedule the next week. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Take your medicine at the same time each day.

Prozac contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to fluoxetine.

Prozac warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of seizures. Tell your doctor if you have had heart disease, a heart rhythm problem (such as QT prolongation), heart attack, heart failure, low blood pressure, or a stroke.

  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Serotonin syndrome (may be life-threatening when used with certain other medicines)Higher risk of bleedingLow sodium levels in the bloodHeart rhythm changes

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Seizures

  • Skin rash, blisters, peeling, or redness

  • Trouble breathing

  • Unusual behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

Prozac interactions

  • Do not use this medicine together with pimozide or thioridazine. Do not use this medicine within 14 days of using an MAO inhibitor, and do not start an MAOI for at least 5 weeks after you stop using fluoxetine.

  • Some medicines can affect how fluoxetine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Buspirone, carbamazepine, dolasetron, erythromycin, fentanyl, gatifloxacin, lithium, mefloquine, methadone, moxifloxacin, pentamidine, phenytoin, probucol, St John's wort, tacrolimus, tramadol, tryptophan supplement, or vinblastineAmphetaminesBlood thinner (including warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Medicine for heart rhythm problemMedicine to treat mental illness (including chlorpromazine, droperidol, iloperidone, ziprasidone)NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Phenothiazine medicineTriptan medicine to treat migraine headache

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Prozac side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching

  • Eye pain, trouble seeing, blurry vision

  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, dizziness

  • Seizures

  • Unusual behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others, feeling more excited or energetic than usual, trouble sleeping

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

  • Skin rash, blisters, peeling, or redness

  • Trouble breathing

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Diarrhea, changes in appetite, weight gain or loss

  • Sexual problems

  • Dry mouth

  • Unusual dreams

  • Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness, unusual dreams