Prozac Side Effects

Some common side effects include upset stomach, drowsiness, weakness or tiredness, excitement or anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, dry mouth, skin sensitive to sunlight, changes in appetite or weight. Tell your doctor if the following side effects are severe for you, or do not go away: constipation, difficulty urinating, frequent urination, blurred vision, changes in sex drive or ability, and excessive sweating.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects: jaw/neck/back muscle spasms, slow/difficult speech, shuffling walk, persistent tremor/inability to sit still, fever/chills/sore throat/or flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing/swallowing, severe skin rash/hives, yellowing of the skin/eyes, or irregular heartbeat.

Do not take this medication if you are recovering from a heart attack or if you have liver disease or diabetes, unless you are directed to do so by your doctor. This drug may make you drowsy, dizzy, or less alert. Avoid driving a car, operating heavy machinery, or participating in any hazardous activity until you know how this drug affects you.

Prozac should be taken exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. Prozac is habit forming. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication. Also, do not stop taking Prozac without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for an extended period of time. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. Withdrawal effects may occur if Prozac is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Do not use Prozac for more than 12 months without speaking to your doctor. Prozac needs time to take effect, it may be four to five weeks before you feel relief from your symptoms.

Severe, including fatal, reactions have been known to occur when Prozac is used in combination with other antidepressant drugs known as MAO inhibitors (including Nardil and Parnate) or Mellaril (thioridazine). Reactions may also occur when Prozac is discontinued and an MAO inhibitor is started. Never take Prozac with one of these drugs or within at least 14 days of discontinuing therapy with one of them. Allow 5 weeks or more between stopping Prozac and starting an MAO inhibitor.

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Prozac or similar drugs such as Paxil and Zoloft, you should not take this medication. Make sure that your doctor is aware of any drug reactions that you have experienced. Use extra caution if you have been taking Prozac in high doses or for an extended period of time. If you are taking any other non-prescription or prescription drugs, discuss these with your doctor before taking Prozac.