What Is Fluoxetine Used For?

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug usually used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks and other anxiety disorders. Fluoxetine is the brand name of the active ingredient in this drug, which is also sold under the generic name fluoxetine hydrochloride. The drug is part of a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. It works to increase the level of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that plays a role in regulating moods.

Uses of Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is commonly prescribed to treat the following conditions:

• • Depression: Fluoxetine is used to treat depression by enabling the user to regain their appetite and to reduce feelings of sadness, loneliness, or worthlessness that accompany a major depressive episode.

 

• • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This is an anxiety disorder that occurs when a person cannot control their thoughts (obsessions) and their behavior (compulsions). Fluoxetine is used to treat these symptoms by helping the patient manage their thoughts and controlling their behavior.

 

• • Panic disorder: This is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurring and unexpected panic attacks. Fluoxetine is used to reduce the frequency and intensity of these panic attacks.

 

• • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Fluoxetine is used to reduce the symptoms of PTSD, including insomnia, flashbacks, and anxiety.

 

• • Social anxiety disorder: Fluoxetine is used to reduce the symptoms of social anxiety disorder, including feeling anxious in social situations, difficulty making and sustaining friendships, and fear of being judged by others.

 

• • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Fluoxetine is used to reduce the symptoms of GAD, including feeling worried or anxious, difficulty sleeping, restlessness, and fatigue.

 

Side Effects of Fluoxetine

Like all medications, there may be some side effects associated with taking fluoxetine. The most common side effects include:

• • Nausea

 

• • Insomnia

 

• • Headaches

 

• • Anxiety

 

• • Sexual difficulties

 

• • Diarrhea

 

• • Weight gain

 

Less common, but potentially more serious, side effects may include seizures, high blood pressure, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and liver damage. It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Dosage of Fluoxetine

When taking any medication, it is important to follow your doctor’s prescription exactly. The usual starting dose of fluoxetine is 20 mg per day, taken once a day either in the morning or the evening, with or without food. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed, up to a maximum of 80 mg per day.

It may take several weeks before you start to experience the full benefits of fluoxetine. Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting with your doctor.

Conclusion

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant that is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other mental health conditions. It works by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain, which plays a role in regulating moods. It is important to discuss any potential side effects or other concerns with your doctor before taking fluoxetine, and it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking this medication.