Everything You Need to Know About Prozac

FAQ 1: Side Effects

Every drug used to improve mental health and stop symptoms of mental illnesses will have side effects. These are things like headaches, nausea, or weight gain. A Psychiatrist will try to find medication that gives you the least amount of side effects. Some side effects are inevitable, but those will be kept to a minimum and less destructive than the symptoms of the mental health issue you’re trying to treat. 

What does prozac do to a person?

Common symptoms of prozac include:

• Insomnia
• Drowsiness
• Decreased sex drive

Usually, these side effects occur in the first few weeks of taking Prozac but will stop once your body gets used to it. If you experience severe symptoms, prolonged symptoms, or some of the below more unusual symptoms, talk to your psychiatrist about switching medications or decreasing your dose:

• Anxiety
• Headache, confusion, weakness  
• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
• Unusual dreams
• Excessive sweating
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Heartburn

Mild side effects are to be expected and will most likely decrease when your body gets used to the medication. Prolonged or severe side effects should be brought up to a psychiatrist. 

What is the major side effect of prozac?

Prozac is known for resulting in nausea, insomnia, and nervousness. In many people, it can have an energizing effect that can cause minor anxiety and insomnia. Most of these will decrease with time as your body gets used to it. 

How does prozac affect behavior?

Because Prozac is an antidepressant, it should reduce depression symptoms. In many people, this will look like an improved mood and energy levels, greater concentration, and general improved well being. However, it can also make people experience nervousness and insomnia. 

Does prozac cause weight gain?

Prozac is not usually associated with weight gain or loss. Depression can cause weight gain or loss because of over or under eating. Because Prozac treats depression, you may experience weight gain or loss as your depression symptoms disappear. However, Prozac itself does not cause weight gain. 

How can I avoid weight gain with prozac?

Prozac does not cause weight gain in of itself. Sometimes, weight gain happens because as depression symptoms disappear, you start eating a normal amount again. To stay healthy, focus on eating mindfully and with healthy food groups. Don’t forget to exercise and move your body daily. 

FAQ 2: Treatments

Prozac is effective at treating:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders

Let’s learn more about how Prozac works. 

Is Prozac similar to Xanax?

No. Although they are both medications used to treat mental health conditions, they perform different functions. Prozac is used to treat depression, OCD, and other illnesses. It is not fast acting and often takes around 2 weeks to begin working. 

Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and is fast acting, offering quick relief for anxiety. 

Will prozac make me calm?

Prozac can make you calm. It helps stabilize your mood, so if you are prone to heightened emotions and energy then it can make you calm. In general, however, most people experience an increase of energy while on Prozac. 

What are the disadvantages of prozac/fluoxetine?

Prozac isn’t for everyone. Sometimes, it just doesn’t have the desired effectiveness. Other times, severe symptoms are present. If you experience suicidality, mania, or hypomania, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. These are severe, unusual side effects that should be stopped. 

FAQ 3: Dosage and Other Facts

Most adults will start on 10 to 20 mg in the morning. Dosage depends on the severity of symptoms and other personal factors. A psychiatrist will be able to start you on a good dose and adjust it until you have a good balance of decreased symptoms and minimal side effects. 

What should you not mix with fluoxetine?

It’s important not to mix certain drugs and medications while taking prozac. A psychiatrist can give you a complete list, but common things to avoid include: 

• St. John's Wort: Taking St. John's Wort while on fluoxetine can increase the risk of side effects and negative interactions. It's advisable to avoid this combination.
• Adderall: Mixing Adderall and fluoxetine can elevate the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. Signs of serotonin syndrome include agitation, among others.
• Alcohol: Both fluoxetine and alcohol affect the central nervous system, causing sedation. This can impact one's ability to perform tasks and increase the risk of extreme drowsiness.

What is the hardest antidepressant to get off of?

Prozac is considered one of the easier medications to get off of. However, you should never stop an antidepressant cold turkey. If you would like to stop medication, talk to your psychiatrist about how you can wean yourself off so your body can get used to it. 

How to Get Prescribed Prozac

If you think Prozac could help you and your symptoms, reach out to a doctor or psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a doctor who has special training in mental health issues, so they are the most equipped to handle prescribing medication for mental health. 

A good psychiatrist will help you find a medication and dosage that is the best fit for you. This might take some trial and error, but that’s why it’s important to have a trained professional in your corner. 

Lifebulb is now offering psychiatrist sessions with one of our in-house psychiatrists. We offer online and select in-person sessions. We accept most insurances and have a low self pay rate. Don’t let depression steal one more day. Contact our support team or schedule with one of our psychiatrists today. 

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