Prozac (Fluoxetine)

Fluoxetine (Prozac) blocks the re-entry of serotonin into neuronal synapses (the junctions of nerve cells with each other). As a result, the content of this mediator (a substance involved in the transmission of nerve impulses) in the connecting elements increases significantly, therefore, over a long period of time, it manages to affect the postsynaptic areas, causing characteristic changes. It shows up:

Stimulating effect on the nervous system
Mood improvement
Activation of mental processes
Suppression of anxiety and anxiety
Decreased appetite, ultimately leading to weight loss.

In addition to inhibiting serotonin uptake in the nervous tissue, Fluoxetine has a similar effect on platelets, reducing their aggregation (gluing) the ability. This positive effect helps to prevent thrombosis in patients at risk. But this property is not used as the main therapeutic effect, it is a “pleasant” addition to antipsychotic effects.

An important advantage of this antidepressant is the lack of sedation. Therefore, Fluoxetine (Prozac) can be used by people engaged in precision work that requires care.:

Drivers
Jewelers
Aviation industry, etc.

The effects of Fluoxetine – the existing risks of taking

Taking the drug can lead to side effects. They are polysystemic, i.e. they are capable of affecting any system of the body. The following conditions are clinically expressed:

Manic persecution
Suicidal tendencies
Dizziness
Trembling
Seizures
Poor appetite
Diarrhea
Increased salivation
Cardiac arrhythmia
Urinary retention or incontinence
Sexual dysfunction
and allergic rashes.

Therefore, any discomfort and deviations in habitual behavior during Fluoxetine treatment is a need to consult a doctor. Such patients may need to adjust the dose of an antidepressant or replace it with another drug.

Indications for use

Indications for taking Fluoxetine (Prozac) should be determined only by a doctor. Self-treatment with these antidepressants is prohibited, as they have a number of contraindications and side effects. The need to use Fluoxetine and its substitutes exists when a person suffers from certain mental disorders, namely:

Depression (regardless of the cause of its origin)
Neurosis, manifested by a strong increase in appetite, leading to obesity
Obsessive states with constant checking of what has been done.

Symptoms of fluoxetine overdose

Exceeding the recommended dose of the drug and the frequency of its administration leads to a number of symptoms indicating an overdose. In this case, immediate treatment by a specialist is required, as the probability of death due to complications is high. The main signs indicating fluoxetine poisoning are:

Mental arousal
An increase in motor activity that does not have any purposefulness
Seizures resembling epileptic seizures
Arrhythmias of various types
Rapid heartbeat
Nausea, culminating in repeated vomiting.

Fluoxetine overdose

Nausea and vomiting are signs of fluoxetine overdose.

Patients should be aware that it is impossible to exceed the recommended dose, and even more so to prescribe the drug on their own, since there is no effective specific antidote. In case of overdose, it is possible to carry out only symptomatic therapy – this is to combat the clinical signs of poisoning, and not eliminate its cause (binding of Fluoxetine molecules). The required components are:

gastric lavage
the appointment of enterosorbents (activated carbon, Enterosgel and others), anticonvulsants and antiarrhythmic drugs.

The Fluoxetine (Prozac) scandal

Recently, the possibility of prescribing Fluoxetine in psychiatry was discussed in the press. In Europe, a scandal broke out in this regard, which resulted in a ban on treatment with this drug and withdrawal from the pharmacy chain.

To avoid the negative effects of Fluoxetine treatment, it is necessary to use it only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Therefore, in modern conditions, this antidepressant can only be purchased by prescription in a pharmacy chain. But there is also a flip side of the coin – Internet pharmacies that are prohibited by law. In them, the drug is sold illegally using the over-the-counter method. It should be remembered that when purchasing a drug without consulting a doctor, the risk of developing fluoxetine dependence is very high. It manifests itself in serious symptoms that a person cannot cope with on their own. An overdose can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

The effectiveness of the drug

Given the existing risks of Fluoxetine treatment, a number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of this drug and the validity of its administration. They showed that he shows a good ability to relieve anxiety and depression. Therefore, Fluoxetine is widely used in the complex therapy of many neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there are conflicting data indicating the high danger of the drug and low efficacy, comparable to placebo (pacifier). Therefore, the drug should be taken seriously and should not be taken without a doctor’s recommendation.