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Prozac Uses

The uses of Prozac specifically include the treatment of depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia. Although the medication has been approved for treating depression and OCD in children, it is not licensed to treat children and teens with bulimia or panic disorder. Occasionally, healthcare providers may also recommend off-label Prozac uses, which may include the treatment of anxiety or premature ejaculation.

 

What Is Prozac Used For? -- An Overview

 Prozac® (fluoxetine hydrochloride) has been licensed to treat a number of conditions. These Prozac uses include treatment for:
 
Sarafem®, a brand-name medication that contains the exact same medication as Prozac, is licenced to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but Prozac and generic forms of Prozac are not approved for this use.
 
Prozac Use for Depression
Depression is more than just "feeling sad." Common symptoms of depression may include:
 
  • Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not enough)
  • Eating too much or too little (and weight gain or weight loss)
  • Having little interest in things that you used to enjoy
  • Physical pain
  • Feeling hopeless or worthless
  • Suicidal thoughts.
     
Prozac has been proven in large clinical trials to help children, teens, and adults with depression. However, keep in mind that many antidepressants (including Prozac) take several weeks to begin working. Sometimes, other people will notice an improvement in your depression symptoms before you do. Often, the physical symptoms of depression (such as pain or changes in sleep) will improve first, sometimes within the first few weeks of treatment. It usually takes at least four to six weeks before significant changes in mood occur. It is important to give Prozac a chance to work before becoming discouraged.
 
Counseling and therapy (see Psychotherapy for Depression) are often used along with antidepressant medications to treat depression. Ask your healthcare provider if counseling or therapy would be good options for you (see Depression Treatment).
(Prozac Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;