prozac long term side effects

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A:personally I think unless you **must** take some medication, you should probably avoid it. Why? Because no one really knows whats going to happen long term with these meds. Also, they don't seem all that effective in many studies..they often don't come out much better than placebo.

A:All side effects of Prozac are time limited in nature and you may get rid of this side within 1-2 weeks after starting the treatment Sexual side effects:Prozac cause sexual dysfunction, and it is the most common adverse effect of SSRIs associated with long-term treatment. It has an estimated incidence of between 50 percent and 80 percent. The most common complaints are anorgasmia, inhibited orgasm, and decreased libido. Some studies suggest that sexual dysfunction is dose related, but this has not been clearly established. Unlike most of the other adverse effects of SSRIs, sexual inhibition rarely resolves in the first few weeks of use, but usually continues as long as the drug is taken. In some cases, there may be improvement over time. Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, which are very common, are mediated largely through effects on the serotonin 5HT3 receptor. The most frequent GI complaints are nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, flatulence, and dyspepsia. GI side effects are reduce after the first week of treatment. Initial anorexia can also occur and is most common with Prozac. SSRI-induced appetite and weight loss begin as soon as the drug is taken and peak at 20 weeks, after which weight often returns to baseline. Up to one third of persons taking Prozac will gain weight, sometimes more than 20 pounds. This effect is mediated through a metabolic mechanism, increase in appetite, or both. It happens gradually and is usually resistant to diet and exercise regimens. Dr Vijaya chandra Reddy Consultant psychiatrist

A:I have used it twice in my life. The first time I used it, it was the most amazing medication I had ever used. I never felt so normal and able to do things as I did when i was on prozac. After my daughter was born, my body chemistry changed. I tried to go back on it and it caused me to feel homicidal. It took me a while to realize that it was the prozac that was doing it because I had taken it successfully before and it worked great! I kept thinking my illness was getting worse. Once it finally struck me that the medication was making me like that, I stopped it. I could feel the urge to kill dissipate as the medication left my system. Basically my answer is, if it works for you, it will be the best medication that you have ever been on and you will feel better than you ever have before. (After the 6 week adjustment of course) If it does not work for you, you need to watch and if you feel you are having urges to hurt anyone, you need to stop taking it instantly. (This is a medication that has little problems with withdrawal)

A:Prozac is associated with insomnia, restlessness, nausea, and tension headaches, which normally go away within one to two weeks from the time it was first taken. One possible Prozac side effect, which remains for the time it is taken, is its effect on your sex life. It often reduces desire and can delay or interfere with orgasm, in both women and men. Fatigue and memory loss are other possible problems. These side effects subside when you stop taking the drug. In some people, the effectiveness of Prozac seems to diminish with time. So, if you are experiencing a new symptom that you did not have before starting your course of Prozac, it is probably a Prozac side effect. Don't worry! The symptom that you are experiencing is probably what is called a transient Prozac side effect; this means that the side effect is not permanent and could disappear as your body adjusts to taking the drug. Some symptoms are experienced by many people for the duration of treatment but just understanding what these are is enough to reassure the sufferer. Common Prozac side effects * Allergic or Toxic - Rash, Pruritus (skin inflammation) * Neurological - Headache, Tremor, Dizziness, Asthenia * Behavioral - Insomnia, Anxiety, Nervousness, Agitation, Abnormal dreams, Drowsiness and fatigue * Autonomic - Excessive sweating * Gastrointestinal - Nausea, Disturbances of appetite, Diarrhea * Respiratory - Bronchitis, Rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes), Yawning * Endocrine - Weight loss * Musculoskeletal - Muscle pain, Back pain, Joint pain * Urogenital - Painful menstruation, Sexual dysfunction, Urinary tract infection, Frequent micturition * Miscellaneous - Chills