This article gives you a factual description on the various aspects of Prozac dosage. Also know some basic facts about the medicine itself.
Disorders such as bulimia nervosa (a life-threatening eating disorder), depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are some conditions where Prozac is used as one of its prescribed medication. It is basically a depression medication, that comes under the approval of the Food and Drug Association (FDA). FDA has approved the use of this drug for the above mentioned disorders. However, it is also sometimes used for treating panic disorder. This is an off-label use, though. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. And this antidepressant works by blocking its re-absorption in the brain thus, improving the symptoms of all such conditions. It belongs to the serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs.
Standard Dosage for Prozac
The dosage essentially depends upon the age of the patient, and the ailment that is being treated. Other influential factors may be the presence of other medical conditions that the patient may be suffering from, and if he/she is on other kinds of prescription drugs.
So considering the Prozac dosage for the conditions such as bulimia, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the dosages are:
- Bulimia – 60 mg once a day.
- Panic Disorder – 10 mg once daily (starting dosage, and may be increased to 20 mg once a day).
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – 20 mg once daily (Dosage must not exceed 80 mg per day).
The healthcare provider may choose to increase to decrease the amount, according to the nature of the symptoms; whether they are improving or worsening. For instance, the dosage for anxiety or depression is 20 mg. But if the symptoms seem to improve, then this dosage may be decreased, and increased, if the symptoms tend to continue.
In children or teenagers, the standard Prozac dosage ranges from 10 mg or 20 mg once daily. Now this stands true for the condition of depression and OCD. As far as the other two disorders are concerned (i.e., panic disorder and bulimia), the case has not been studied with a broader aspect.
Prozac Side Effects
With Prozac, it is known that most people are able to tolerate its side effects well. Moreover, whatever side effects that occur, are generally mild, and require no treatment to deal with, as they are self-resolving. The most common set of side effects of this drug may include:
- Lack of sleep
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Stomach disorder such as diarrhea
- Headache
- Feeling drowsy
- Nervousness, or anxiety for no reason
- Ingestion
- Tremor
- Dry mouth
- Low libido
- Frequent yawning
- Excess perspiration
- Problems with ejaculation, and in some cases, even impotency
- Vision changes
- Gas
- Weight loss
- Chest pain
- Hypertension
- Weight gain is also possible, as increased appetite is also a side effect
- Changes in taste
- Fever
- Chills
- Vomiting
Interactions With Other Drugs
According to experts, medicines that can cause an interaction, include certain anti-psychotic medications (common example include Clozapine, Haloperidol, etc.), drugs and medication for seizures, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and SSRI or SNRI medications. Tricyclic antidepressants may also cause some interaction.
Apart from being aware of the Prozac dosage, one must also be abreast with the warnings and precautions associated with the use of this drug, in case he/she has started such a medication for the first time. He/she must inform the doctor or health care provider if he/she has a history of suicidal attempts, heart attack, diabetes, liver disease, or allergies (of any kind). Moreover, if the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding it is best to inform the doctor promptly.
