Fluoxetine is the drug otherwise known as Prozac. This drug is for treatment of things like depression, anxiety, panic disorders and other mental illnesses. Although there is a social stigma connected to such illnesses there should never be a reason for you or your loved one not to try the medication if you’re suffering a debilitating disease such as depression.
Neurotransmitters in the brain are the main target for this drug. Neurotransmitters are found in the brain and what they do is pass information from neuron to neuron. Sometimes these neurotransmitters start passing information in the brain that can be confused as normal thus starting what you could think of as a gossip session. They pass random information that is not transmitted properly and some believe that this is what causes depression and other illnesses in people.
Fluoxetine has been around since 1987 and that should be proof enough that it is a drug that works. Many drugs are changed, taken off the market and totally gone within just a few short years but Fluoxetine has still proven itself over and over again to be a successful treatment of depression and other mental illnesses.
This is a powerful medication and your doctor will probably start you out with a small dose and then gradually work your dosage up week by week. It is important that you take this drug as specifically prescribed by your doctor because you need to get its full benefit.
It may take up to 5 weeks to feel the full effects of the drug but you will start noticing a slight difference within the first week or so. Your mood will start to change and you will find yourself doing things that your depression did not allow you to do before. You will eventually start to feel like a new person.
One more thing that is very important to note if you are taking Fluoxetine is you should never stop the medication without telling your doctor first. There are serious side effects that you will want to avoid such as irritability, mood changes, headache, sleepiness, anxiety and even confusion. This is a drug that you should be weaned off of and there is need of doctor supervision as you do it.
While so many people suffer from mental illness and get treatment there are many more that do not seek the advice of doctors and try to self medicate, you should look into finding the proper help for your illness so you can go on with your life in an easy going manner. If you think you may need help with your depression call your doctor today and see if Fluoxetine is a treatment that may be right for you.