What it means
It treats depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, bulimia and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It takes several weeks to work fully. It stays in the body much longer than other SSRIs, so it must be stopped about 5 weeks before an MAOI is started. Its brand Prozac is on the ISMP list of names confused with Prilosec, and the generic name is confused with duloxetine and paroxetine.
For the nurse
The boxed warning is for suicidal thoughts in children, teens and young adults, so watch mood closely, especially in the first weeks and after dose changes. Teach that it takes weeks to help, and to report agitation, fever, sweating and muscle twitching (signs of serotonin syndrome).
At a glance
| Drug class | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Prozac, Sarafem |
| Spanish | fluoxetina |
| Also written | Prozac, Sarafem |
Easy to confuse with
omeprazole
A proton pump inhibitor: a drug that lowers the amount of acid the stomach makes.
paroxetine
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression and several anxiety disorders.
duloxetine
An SNRI antidepressant that raises serotonin and norepinephrine; it is also used for some kinds of long-term pain.
Related terms
neurotransmitter
A chemical that a nerve cell releases to pass a signal to another nerve, muscle or gland cell.
paroxetine
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression and several anxiety disorders.
duloxetine
An SNRI antidepressant that raises serotonin and norepinephrine; it is also used for some kinds of long-term pain.
reuptake
The taking back of a chemical messenger into the nerve cell that released it.