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Prozac (fluoxetine) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and children ages 8 and older.
These insights are based on 1,377 comments about Prozac from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Prozac is a type of medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It affects a brain chemical called serotonin, which helps control mood. The exact way Prozac works is not fully understood.
In depression, Prozac may help regulate brain signaling linked to mood. Doctors prescribe Prozac for the acute and maintenance treatment of MDD in adults and children.
Prozac is one of several depression treatments that may be used as part of ongoing care. Prozac is given as a capsule by mouth, typically once daily in the morning.
If a doctor prescribes a higher daily dose, it may be taken once daily in the morning or divided into two doses taken in the morning and at noon.
The recommended starting dose of Prozac for MDD is 20 milligrams by mouth once daily in the morning for adults, and 10 milligrams to 20 milligrams by mouth in the morning for children.
A doctor may increase the dose after several weeks if improvement is not enough. For adults, doses above 20 milligrams per day may be taken once daily in the morning or divided into two doses taken in the morning and at noon. The maximum dose is 80 milligrams per day.
Children may continue at 10 milligrams per day or 20 milligrams per day.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 1,377 comments about Prozac from MyDepressionTeam members.
Members who use Prozac often say it helps to set realistic expectations, pay close attention to side effects, and stay in close contact with a doctor for medication management during dose changes or medication switches. Many also mention that Prozac can work very differently from one person to another, so tracking how you feel over time can be useful.
Be patient, but keep track of how long symptoms last.
“I remember when I started taking Prozac it took six weeks to kick in.”
Tell your doctor about side effects that feel severe or do not go away.
“If you still feel bloody awful after about three weeks then go back to your doctor.”
Watch for changes in mood, agitation, or possible mania.
“I had what my wife and I decided was a manic episode last Wednesday when I just could not shut the hell up for love or money.”
Talk to your doctor before stopping or tapering Prozac.
“I’m currently weaning off of Prozac, after 22 years, and it is quite difficult.”
Ask your doctor about dose changes or switching if Prozac is not working well.
“My docs have been willing to keep trying different combinations to find something that helps.”
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In clinical trials of Prozac for MDD, the most common side effects were seen in 10 percent to 21 percent of people. They include:
Prozac can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to fluoxetine or any ingredients in Prozac. Do not take Prozac if you are allergic to fluoxetine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in Prozac.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Prozac and some medicines may interact with each other, may not work as well, or may cause serious side effects.
Before starting Prozac, tell your healthcare provider if you:
Do not take Prozac if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), pimozide, or thioridazine.
You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Prozac affects you. Do not drink alcohol while using Prozac.
Prozac is also FDA-approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. Prozac in combination with olanzapine is FDA-approved to treat acute depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder and treatment-resistant depression.
If you miss a dose of Prozac, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Do not stop Prozac without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Prozac too quickly may cause serious symptoms.
If you become pregnant while taking Prozac, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants. You can register by calling 866-961-2388.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Prozac, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Taking Prozac late in pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of certain problems in your newborn.
Prozac may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if taking Prozac.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Prozac?
In five- and six-week studies of adults with major depressive disorder, Prozac was more effective in improving depressive symptoms than placebo (an inactive treatment) based on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores, a standard measure of depression symptoms.
In two six-week studies of older adults ages 60 and older, Prozac 20 milligrams daily was also more effective than placebo. In a maintenance study, people who got better on Prozac and kept taking it were less likely to have their depression come back, or relapse, than those who switched to placebo.
In eight- and nine-week studies of children ages 8 to 12 and adolescents ages 13 to 18 with MDD, Prozac 20 milligrams was more effective in improving depressive symptoms than placebo based on Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised scores.
How long does Prozac take to work for depression?
Prozac may take several weeks to start working for depression. In studies, Prozac was studied for about five to six weeks in adults and eight to nine weeks in children and teens. If symptoms are not getting better after a few weeks, a healthcare provider may adjust the dose.
Can Prozac cause mania or suicidal thoughts when used for depression?
Prozac can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults, especially in the first few months of treatment or when the dose changes. Prozac can also cause manic episodes, with symptoms such as greatly increased energy, severe trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, reckless behavior, unusual happiness, irritability, or talking more or faster than usual. People starting treatment should be monitored closely for worsening depression, unusual behavior changes, suicidal thoughts, or signs of mania.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Prozac for depression?
If you miss a dose of Prozac, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Prozac at the same time.
Do not stop Prozac without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Prozac too quickly may cause serious symptoms, including:
On MyDepressionTeam, people share their experiences with depression, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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