If you’ve been diagnosed with depression, your psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner may recommend Prozac as a potential medication to help you manage your symptoms. Many patients have been satisfied with the symptom reduction of Prozac, but it can always be intimidating in the beginning to start a new medication. One of the first concerns that many patients have are the side effects.
In this blog, let’s talk about what Prozac is, what side effects it can have, and whether it’s worth it.
How Does Prozac Work?
Prozac (fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is commonly prescribed for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and bulimia. Prozac is taken orally in the form of a pill once daily.
It increases serotonin levels in the brain by stopping the process of serotonin reuptake which absorbs serotonin back into the cells. Because serotonin is in deficit for those with the above disorders, Prozac helps to correct the balance. Serotonin can in turn boost your mood, emotional regulation, and sleep.
Side Effects of Prozac
Prozac, like all medications, may have side effects. Some are more common than others. These can occur because brain chemistry — while similar across individuals — is somewhat different for everyone. Although Prozac may help to boost serotonin and relieve symptoms of mental illness, you may experience some of these common side effects:1
- Hives and Itching
- Rashes
- Restlessness and fidgeting
In addition to these side effects, chills and fever or joint and muscle pain may sometimes occur. In rare cases, you may also experience:1
- Anxiety
- Cold sweats
- Confusion
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty focusing
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Increased hunger or thirst
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Lethargy
- Mood changes
- Seizures
- Shaking or shivering
- Uncontrollable excitement
Serotonin Syndrome
In some rare cases, Prozac or other SSRIs may cause serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome can occur when your body has an excess of serotonin. It typically occurs by mixing different medications, which is why it’s important to make sure any medication you take has no known interactions with Prozac. Serotonin syndrome symptoms include:2
- Confusion
- Agitation and restlessness
- Dilated pupils
- Headache
- Changes in blood pressure or temperature
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Racing heart
- Tremors
- Twitching or tight muscles
- Shivering or goosebumps
- Excess sweating
If you experience serotonin syndrome, it’s best to contact your clinician as soon as possible for guidance.
What To Do If You Experience Prozac Side Effects?
The first thing to do if you notice any side effects of taking Prozac is to communicate them to your medication consultant. Bring them up in your check-ins with your psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Don’t downplay your symptoms — nothing is too small to bring up. This will help your provider understand whether they should adjust your dosage or change you to a different medication entirely. If you experience a severe side effect of Prozac, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your provider immediately or go to urgent care if need be.
Is Prozac Worth the Side Effects?
Every medication can come with side effects — even over the counter medications for cold or flu symptoms. These are usually laid out on the labeling for the medication itself. In using medication to adjust brain chemistry, there is always a risk of some adverse effects.
Despite that, Prozac has been proven to be generally safe and effective, including among elderly and pregnant populations.3 Prozac has also been reported as the most effective antidepressant medication for teenagers,4 and a recommended choice for general populations with depression, OCD, PMDD, and bulimia.
The important thing to keep in mind is the symptoms that you face on a daily or regular basis from your mental illnesses without Prozac. Depressive episodes, poor impulse control, or dysphoric symptoms are much more disruptive to your life worth living than most side effects of Prozac. In extreme cases, they can be life threatening. Prozac can help to alleviate these symptoms so that you can see a difference in your work life, personal life, and relationships.
While Prozac side effects are often mild, it’s still best to talk to your mental health provider about any potential side effects beforehand. Even if you experience something that is not a reported side effect of Prozac, you should still communicate this to your provider. This will help them to better support you through medication management.
Want to talk to a mental health provider about Prozac or other SSRIs? Visit our provider page to schedule an appointment or contact us today to learn more. The medication team at Rivia Mind is here to help. Visit our medication management page to learn more about this treatment plan and our philosophy care.
Resources:
- Fluoxetine (Oral Route) Side Effects – Mayo Clinic
- Serotonin Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment – WebMD
- Fluoxetine: a review on evidence based medicine – Rossi, Andrea; Barraco, Alessandra; and Donda, Pietro, 2004
- Prozac for teenagers: the best choice? – National Institute for Health and Care Research
