Generically known as fluoxetine, Prozac is an oral antidepressant medication prescribed to treat:

• Bulimia nervosa
• Major depressive disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Prozac is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly and can come in the form of a pill or oral solution. Since December 1987, Prozac has been FDA approved. As of 2007, Prozac was the third most prescribed antidepressant drug in the U.S., with more than 22.2 million prescriptions being filled within that year.

Prozac Side Effects

As with most medications, patients might experience mild, fleeting, treatable side effects when taking Prozac, including nausea, sleeping problems and reduced libido. However, in more rare instances, patients can develop severe Prozac injuries, including:

• Aggression and hostility
• Akathisia, tardive dyskinesia, acute dystonia and other uncontrollable movement disorders
• Arrhythmia
• Bloody vomit or diarrhea
• Delusions
• Duodenal or esophageal ulcers
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Hepatitis
• Intensified depression
• Panic and/or anxiety attacks
• Peptic ulcers (a hole in the lining of the stomach, esophagus or duodenum)
• Suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors

In the worst cases, Prozac side effects can result in permanent disability or death. Consequently, it's vital that patients get emergency medical care as soon as they experience any abnormal symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to ensure good chances of optimal recovery.

Prozac Restrictions

Patients with a history of any of the following conditions may have a higher risk of developing severe Prozac injuries and should talk to their doctor before starting a course of this antidepressant drug:

• Bipolar disorder
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Diabetes
• Drug abuse
• Kidney disease
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts (This typically affects patients younger than 24 years old)
• Taking certain medications (Orap, Mellaril or MAO inhibitors)

To effectively monitor Prozac patients' health, doctors will want to regularly check patients within the first three months of being on this medication.

Compensation for Prozac Injuries

If you or a loved one has been injured after taking Prozac (or your loved one has died from Prozac injuries), you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Prospective plaintiffs should consult with one of our dangerous drug lawyers to learn more about their legal rights and entitlements. At Gacovino, Lake and Associates, our injury and death lawyers handle pharmaceutical cases with personal attention and care.

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