Prozac severe depression

Antidepressants Pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for the treatment of persistent and severe depression. Imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), and fluoxetine (Prozac) are examples. 

Once a methamphetamine addict stops taking the drug, the withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and include depression and anxiety, increased appetite, fatigue, paranoia, irritability, aggressive behavior, and intense craving for the drug. Some of these symptoms can be eased with sedative drugs like Valium or antidepressants like Prozac . 

A breakthrough in the treatment of major depression was the discovery of fluoxetine, marketed as Prozac. Fluoxetine has a mechanism of action similar to that of imipramine with an important exception. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, an SSRI. This strongly suggests that, in some sense, the symptoms of major depression result from a deficit in serotonin specifically. By inhibiting its reuptake from the synapse, the activity of serotonin is enhanced. Two other important drugs for major depression, sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil), among several others,... 

Prozac is one of the most successful medications in the treatment of depression and anxiety. These drugs target serotonin systems and appear to have a therapeutic benefit in many mental problems that are linked to emotion. Many patients who have experienced severe anxiety found that Prozac reduced panic attacks and stabilized their moods. This testimonial was given by an employee at Emory University after taking Prozac. 

A third conservative approach is the drug holiday. Anticipating planned sexual activity, the patient temporarily discontinues the drug, say, for a day or so. The sharp reduction in antidepressant blood levels sometimes results in temporary disappearance or at least reduction of the sexual dysfunction. This method has several limitations as well it precludes spontaneous sexual activity it may lead to relapse of depressive symptoms it may produce antidepressant withdrawal symptoms (see Table 3.13), which can be severe enough to squelch the desire of even the most passionate of lovers and it is restricted to patients on antidepressants with a short half-life (blood levels of long half-life compounds such as fluoxetine [Prozac] would not drop quickly enough to create the planned holiday). 

In any case, there is a pressing need for a systematic study of adolescent depression, comparing psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral thereapy (CBT) and antidepressants, or the combination of both treatments. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has organized a multicenter study which will analyze the long-term effectiveness of Prozac versus CBT. Results of the study, called Treatment for Adolescent Depression Study (TADS), will not be published for several years, but it is hoped that the results will help resolve whether antidepressants in teens are beneficial and safe. 

Fluoxetine hydrochloride (brand name Prozac) An antidepressant that functions as an SSRI and is prescribed for depression that is severe enough to impair daily functioning. This medication is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It should not be used with an MAO inhibitor. Some common side effects include abnormal dreams, abnonnal ejaculation, decreased orgasmic functioning, agitation, and headaches. 

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