Prozac is the brand name of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine. It is available on prescription, and comes in green and white capsules.

What are the effects of Prozac?

• When prescribed in the treatment of depression, Prozac works by affecting the brain's mood-altering serotonin levels
• Prozac, like all antidepressants, may not work for everyone
• Give at least two weeks for anti-depressants to work, but go back to your doctor if there's no change after four to six weeks
• Taking just one tablet, rather than a course of them is unlikely to have any noticeable effect on your mood
• If you're not depressed in the first place, taking some Prozac is not going to make you feel happy.

What are the risks of taking Prozac?

• Some users have experienced side-effects, including insomnia, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, anxiety and headaches
• Some sexual side-effects have also been reported, including difficulties reaching orgasm
• The long term implications of regular misuse of Prozac is not yet fully understood
• Mixing Prozac with other drugs, particularly ecstasy or alcohol, can be dangerous
• Taking Prozac with some other anti-depressant medical drugs can cause very high blood pressure, vomiting and shock and has led to some people being hospitalised.

The law and Prozac:

Prozac is legal when prescribed under prescription. Supply or possession with intent to supply is illegal, and Class C penalties apply.

Other terms for Prozac:

Fluoxetine, happy pills, bottled smiles.

Updated: 13/11/2009