Prozac
It's the celebrity of antidepressants, but is it right for you?
Slang
Happy pills, bottled smiles.
Background
Prozac is the brand name of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine. It is available on prescription, and comes in green and white capsules.
The Effects
- When prescribed in the treatment of depression, Prozac works by affecting the brain's mood-altering serotonin levels.
- Some users have experienced side-effects, including insomnia, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, anxiety and headaches.
- Some sexual side-effects have also been reported, including difficulties reaching orgasm.
- Prozac, like all antidepressants, may not work for everyone.
- Give at least two weeks for anti-depressants to work, but go back to your doctor if there's no change after four to six weeks.
- Taking just one tablet, rather than a course of them is unlikely to have any noticeable effect on your mood.
- If you're not depressed in the first place, taking some Prozac is not going to make you feel 'happy'.
The Risks
- The long term implications of regular misuse of Prozac is not yet fully understood.
- Mixing Prozac with other drugs, particularly ecstasy or alcohol, can be dangerous.
- Taking Prozac with some other anti-depressant medical drugs can cause very high blood pressure, vomiting and shock and has led to some people being hospitalised.
The Law
- Prozac is legal when prescribed under prescription. Supply or possession with intent to supply is illegal, and Class C penalties apply.
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