Prozac

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Prozac Classification Fluoxetine is a legal prescribed medication (Fluoxetine, 2000). The brand name of this drug is Prozac (Fluoxetine, 2000). Fluoxetine belongs in a category of drugs called selective serotonin prescription (PDR, 2000). This is a synthetic drug (Fluoxetine, 2000).reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (PDR, 2000). Prozac is not a controlled substance but needs a Usage Prozac is used as an antidepressant, antiobsessional and antibulimic medication (Fluoxetine, 2000). Prozac is presumed to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin (Fluoxetine, 2000). In patients with depression it relieves symptoms of the illness (Fluoxetine, 2000). For those with bulimia nervosa Prozac was shown to decrease binge eating and purging when compared to a placebo (Fluoxetine, 2000). In obsessive-compulsive disorder it significantly reduces the symptoms (Fluoxetine, 2000). Usage: Epidemiology The use of Prozac is so wide spread that since its release over ten years ago thirty-five million have been prescribed world wide in over one hundred different countries (PDR, 2000). Over seventeen million patients have been prescribed Prozac in the United States alone (PDR, 2000). Prozac is the worlds most prescribed antidepressant (PDR, 2000). Warnings Allergic reactions have been noted in some patients; these include: rash, fever, edema, and carpal tunnel syndrome (Fluoxetine, 2000). If these reactions persist and no other cause can be found treatment with Prozac should be discontinued (Fluoxetine, 2000). Precautions During the clinical trials anxiety and nervousness were reported by ten to fifteen percent of patients (Fluoxetine, 2000). Persons already underweight and depressed showed significant weight loss when on Prozac (Fluoxetine, 2000). Prozac should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders (Flouxinte, 2000). The possibility of suicide is greater in those patients who are depressed; therefore Prozac should be administer with supervision to these patients (Fluoxetine, 2000). This medication should be only given to patients with anorexia nervosa if the benefits outweigh the risks (Fluoxetine, 2000). Prozac became the worlds most prescribed antidepressant herald of its “transformative powers” (Cash, Brown, 2000). Among side effects are appetite reduction and weight loss (Cash, Brown, 2000). In a study of college age women the knowledge of prozacs weight loss properties increased the likelihood of a woman deciding to try the drug (Cash, Brown, 2000). The women said they would choose Prozac regardless of the side effects if one of the main effects was weight loss (Cash, Brown, 2000). Women’s perceived notions about being thin outweighed their concerns about the possible negative side effects of Prozac (Cash, Brown, 2000). Patients with diabetes may have altered glycemic rates while on this medication (Fluoxetine, 2000). I have found conflicting reports on the use of Prozac and the pregnant woman. I will give them both consideration in this report.

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