Fluoxetine

Pronounced floo-OX-e-teen

Brand names: Prozac

Type: SSRI antidepressant · All Mental Health Medicines

What Fluoxetine is used for

• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Bulimia nervosa
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Sexual problems
• Anxiety or restlessness when starting

Important cautions

• Antidepressants carry a warning about increased suicidal thoughts in children, teenagers, and young adults — families should watch for sudden mood changes, especially when starting
• Stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms — it is tapered with medical guidance, though this one leaves the body slowly
• Combined with other serotonin-raising medicines it can cause serotonin syndrome, a medical emergency

How it comes

Capsules, tablets, liquid. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.