Prozac

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Prozac during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. There have been reports of newborns experiencing complications such as respiratory problems, bluish coloring of the skin, irregular breathing, muscular problems, vomiting, and constant crying after exposure to Prozac late in the third trimester.

This medication appears in breast milk, and breastfeeding is not recommended while you are taking Prozac.

Recommended dosage for Prozac

DEPRESSION

It may take 4 weeks before the full antidepressant effect of Prozac is seen.

The recommended starting dose is 20 milligrams a day, usually taken in the morning. If needed, the doctor may gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 80 milligrams a day. The usual daily dose ranges from 20 to 60 milligrams. Daily doses above 20 milligrams should be taken in the morning or in two smaller doses taken in the morning and at noon.

The usual starting dose is 10 or 20 milligrams a day. Children starting at 10 milligrams will have their dose increased to 20 milligrams a day after 1 week. Underweight children may need to remain at the 10-milligram dose.

You need to wait at least 7 days after stopping your daily dose of Prozac before switching to the once-weekly formulation. One Prozac Weekly capsule contains 90 milligrams of medication.

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

It may take 5 weeks before the full effects of Prozac are seen.

The recommended starting dose is 20 milligrams a day, usually taken in the morning. If needed, the doctor may gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 80 milligrams a day. The usual daily dose ranges from 20 to 60 milligrams. Daily doses above 20 milligrams should be taken in the morning or in two smaller doses taken in the morning and at noon.

The recommended starting dose is 10 milligrams a day. After 2 weeks, the doctor will increase the dose to 20 milligrams. If needed, the doctor may further increase the dose up to a maximum of 60 milligrams a day. The recommended dosage range for underweight children is 10 to 30 milligrams a day

BULIMIA

The recommended dose is 60 milligrams a day taken in the morning. The doctor may start you at a lower dose and gradually increase it over a period of several days.

PANIC DISORDER

The recommended starting dose is 10 milligrams a day. After 1 week, the doctor will increase the dose to 20 milligrams. If no improvement is seen after several weeks, the doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 60 milligrams a day.

PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER

The usual dose of Sarafem is 20 milligrams a day. The doctor will instruct you to take the dose either every day of the month or only during the 2 weeks before menstruation begins (the luteal phase of your cycle). If there's no improvement after several weeks, the dose can be increased, usually to 60 milligrams a day. The maximum dose is 80 milligrams daily.

DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT

For all indications, the doctor may need to prescribe a lower dose if you are elderly, have liver disease, or are taking other medications.

Overdosage

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. An overdose of Prozac can be fatal. In addition, combining Prozac with certain other drugs can cause symptoms of overdose. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

• Common symptoms of Prozac overdose include:
  Nausea, rapid heartbeat, seizures, sleepiness, vomiting

• Other symptoms of Prozac overdose include:
  Coma, delirium, fainting, high fever, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, mania, rigid muscles, sweating, stupor