Unraveling The Fact: Is Prozac for Anxiety?

The daunting life and back-breaking work have filled our minds with worries and stress. The daily hustle sometimes ends in a panic state to meet deadlines or achieve goals. Over 40 million people in the United States struggle with anxiety disorder. However, scientists have discovered a medicine that is associated with anxiety disorder. Is Prozac for Anxiety? Is it safe? Often it makes people feel confused.

Continue reading to learn everything about Anxiety medicine as the first line of treatment for social anxiety and panic disorders. Fluoxetine (Prozac) also treats major depressive disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Read on for more information!

Is Prozac for Anxiety?

Yes, according to research, Prozac is usually considered a safe and effective first-line treatment choice for those suffering from certain anxiety disorders. The medicine improves mood, regulates emotions, and improves sleep quality. In addition, it increases hunger by boosting the availability of serotonin in the brain. However, like other medicines, it may also have a few side effects. Therefore, it is always wise to consult with a doctor before starting the medicine. Your doctor will guide you on how to take Prozac and also what other medications to avoid.  

Also Read: Is Zoloft for anxiety?

Why is Prozac considered for Anxiety?

Prozac is considered safe for anxiety because it rewires the brain cells to effectively respond to stress and many other triggers. This medication has been proven to show an effective result on long-term anxiety patients. Why is the first choice? This is because Fluoxetine (Prozac) is typically not a habit-forming medication. Therefore, it is considered safe and effective over Alprazolam and Diazepam.

Advantages of Taking Fluoxetine or Prozac

The following are the benefits of using Prozac: 

• Convenient to use 

• Oral medication

• Affordable 

• Non-habit forming

• Feeling more relaxed 

• Less Anxiety

• Improved sleep patterns

• Enthusiastic about life

• Increased focus

• Boosts energy 

Once a day, enough to take Prozac medications.

Disadvantages of Taking Fluoxetine

With advantages, Fluoxetine (Prozac) also comes with some drawbacks such as: 

• Fueled suicidal thoughts 

• Not approved for generalized anxiety

• May worsen anxiety symptoms 

• Insomnia issues

• Nervousness problems

If we consider all this, we can conclude that Prozac is best for Anxiety, bulimia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

How Prozac Works for Anxiety? 

The Prozac tablet regulates a person's mood by increasing the serotonin level in the brain. Serotonin immensely influences mood, sleep, and behavior. In the end, a person starts to feel good. So, if you want to make yourself calm, then surely Prozac is the best tablet for those suffering from anxiety. Prozac for anxiety may take a few weeks to show effect or relief from anxiety. You must take it for at least six months to a year. 

What Conditions Does Prozac Treat?

Prozac is typically FDA-approved to treat several anxiety disorders such as:

1. Panic disorder: This condition occurs with sweating, fast heartbeat, and trembling. Prozac can lower the severity and frequency of panic attacks.

2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD leads to compulsive behavior and unpleasant thoughts. Here, Prozac can help prevent these symptoms.

3. Off-Label Uses: Sometimes, physicians also provide Prozac off-label. Off-label use means prescribing medication to treat illness other than for which condition it was intended to prescribe. So, doctors can suggest the use of Prozac for:

• Binge eating disorder

• Body dysmorphic disorder

• Dysthymia

• Social anxiety disorder

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

• Premenstrual dysthymic disorder

Well, Prozac can be a potent and safe long-term as well as short-term treatment. However, make sure to use it under a doctor's supervision. 

How Quickly Does Prozac Work?

Prozac typically might take 1 to 2 weeks to show their effects and provide relief. It may take a few months to fully experience its effects. So, give it time. However, for anxiety disorder, this medication might show results within 2 weeks of treatment. To reach its peak effect, Prozac also might take 4 to 8 weeks. Once it efficiently starts working, you will notice a great improvement in your health. 

Dosage and Administration of Prozac for Anxiety

Doctors typically recommend 10 mg per day as a starting dose for panic disorders. The dose is slowly increased up to 20 mg a day. However, the dose can vary depending on age, the condition being treated, current medications, and overall health. So, always take the medications as prescribed. Do not stop Prozac intake without consulting the healthcare providers. This is because it can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, nightmares, dizziness, irritability, and also trouble sleeping.

What are the Parameters on Which the Prozac Dose is Decided? 

There are four parameters that your doctor will typically use to decide when and what dose to prescribe. Let's find out the four factors: 

• The severity of your illness

• Age 

• BMI

• Medical history

Never try to use Prozac by doing the calculation on your phone. It can severely affect you. Doctors usually prescribe a starting dose of fluoxetine of 10 mg/day. It will take weeks and months to show results that will typically depend upon the degree of illness. 

Side Effects of Prozac

Some side effects are associated with Prozac and some severe side effects typically need immediate treatment. However, first, you should know which side effects you need to react to or not. 

Less bothersome side effects of Fluoxetine:

• Anxiety

• Nervousness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Dry mouth 

• Indigestion

• Trouble Sleeping

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue

• Heartburn

• Loss of Appetite

• Lightheadedness

• Sexual Problem

• Sweating

• Yawning

Some serious side effects of Fluoxetine - 

• Serotonin Syndrome - Prozac accumulates a high amount of serotonin in the brain, which could be hazardous. 

• Allergic Reaction - Hypersensitivity to the components of Prozac tablets can also cause severe adverse reactions. For example, rashes, hives, and also swelling around the face and mouth. 

• Bruising and Bleeding - Selective serotonin and reputable inhibitors prevent the entry of platelets which results in bruising and bleeding. 

• Mania Symptoms - Prozac tablets also show a shifting of mood intensely. 

• Seizures - The antidepressant tablets increase the amount of glutamatergic neurotransmission with seizures.

• Low salt levels in the blood - In addition, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and sodium electrolytes as a result cause headaches, confusion, and weakness.

Additional side effects are:

• Extreme Anxiety

• High Fever

• Trouble Breathing 

• Suicidal Thoughts 

Also Read: Does Prozac Cause Weight Gain? All You Need To Know

What Medication Should You Avoid with Prozac? 

The medications that should be avoided while taking Prozac are: 

1. MAO Inhibitors

The Prozac drug severely reacts with MAO inhibitors and shows high-grade fever, changes in blood pressure, heart rate, confusion, and also loss of consciousness. 

2. Thioridazine

If you are taking thioridazine, then you may have increased heart rhythm problems. Therefore, telling your doctor before taking any additional medicines is a must. 

3. Pimozide

Pimozide can also cause severe changes in the heart rate. This can lead to heart problems while taking Prozac. 

Other Medications That May Cause Drug Interactions

You should also consider the drug interaction of Prozac with the following medications as they can lead to certain complications:

• Antidepressants 

• CNS - opioids, benzodiazepines 

• Lithium

• St. John's Wort

• Amphetamines

• NSAIDs - Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen

• Anticonvulsants - Carbamazepine, Phenytoin 

Precautions To Take While on Prozac Treatment

People who already have a medical history should not take Prozac. The illnesses are given below. If you match any of these, do tell your doctor: 

• Liver disease

• Seizures

• Bipolar 1 disorder

• Cardiovascular diseases

• High blood pressure

• Blood clotting disorder

In addition, if you are a pregnant or lactating mother, always tell your doctor before starting any medication. 

Summing Up

We hope this information helps you decide whether "Is Prozac for anxiety disorder treatment?" The choice of Prozac is supreme because of the effective effects shown in anxious people. Everyone has encountered anxiety in a lifetime; however, when it tries to hinder the daily routine, see a doctor and never prescribe any tablets to yourself. A psychologist will prescribe Prozac for anxiety only after the complete examination. In addition, the associated side effects should be monitored side by side at home. This allows you to reduce your symptoms easily. Therefore, always be extra cautious if you are dealing with children and even adolescents.