Prozac, generic fluoxetine, is the best-selling antidepressant in the world. It’s been a major moneymaker for its manufacturer, Eli Lilly. Prozac was first approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1987 and was released in the U.S. market in 1988. Prozac has been approved for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, and eating disorders. Prozac is the only antidepressant approved to treat major depression disorder (MDD) in children, and one of the few antidepressants to be approved to treat OCD in children. Other antidepressants are often prescribed for children in an “off-label” use, or a use not approved by the FDA. Prozac is also used off-label to treat conditions like attention deficit disorder, phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, and sleep problems. Critics call it the most over-prescribed drug in the world.
Prozac is an SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It increases levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain to increase the effectiveness of neuron transfers. The Prozac claim is that it has fewer side effects than other antidepressants.
Prozac already carries a black box warning for the dangers of suicide in children and adults who take the drug (See Drug Warning: Prozac Side Effects and Risks), but recent studies are revealing new serious side effects. See Prozac Information and Warnings for information on these studies.
Check out the following articles for more information about Prozac, filing an Prozac lawsuit and finding an Prozac attorney.