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Medication

Prozac (fluoxetine)

Prozac is the original brand name of fluoxetine, a psychiatric medication available by prescription only. It belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is commonly prescribed for depression and several anxiety-related conditions.

Learn About Prozac Treatment

Connect with a psychiatric clinician—online or in person—for a comprehensive evaluation. If appropriate, they may discuss whether fluoxetine (Prozac), known for being a long-term treatment option for mood and anxiety disorders, could be considered within your care plan.

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What Conditions Does Prozac Treat?

FDA-Approved Uses:

Common Off-Label Uses:

How Psychiatric Medication Prescription Decisions Are Made

1

Find a psychiatric clinician who meets your needs

Option 1

Search our psychiatrist directory to find a qualified provider

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Option 2

Locate a nearby clinic to schedule your initial appointment

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2

Meet 1:1 For a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation

During your first session, a psychiatric clinician will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. If appropriate, they may discuss whether medication, including SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), could be considered. Treatment decisions like this will always prioritize safety, clinical best practices, and your individual needs.

3

Begin treatment and ongoing monitoring

Once a personalized treatment plan is established, your provider will monitor your response to any prescribed medication and adjust the plan as needed. If medication is part of your care, then, if clinically appropriate, your provider may handle prescription renewals online during or after regular follow-ups as clinically appropriate in accordance with LifeStance treatment protocols.

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Struggling with Anxiety or Depression?

Struggling with Anxiety or Depression?

Everyone’s experience with anxiety or depression is different. A psychiatrist may help you find the right treatment path—whether that includes Prozac (fluoxetine) or another option that fits your needs. Discuss medication options with your treating provider.

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FAQs About Prozac

The generic name for Prozac is fluoxetine.

Prozac (fluoxetine) is FDA-approved to treat depression, panic disorder, OCD, bulimia nervosa, and PMDD. It may also be prescribed to help reduce symptoms associated with PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and other anxiety-related disorders.

Yes. Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a class of medications that help regulate serotonin activity in the brain, typically used to treat depression and anxiety-related disorders.

Common side effects include nausea, headache, insomnia, dry mouth, diarrhea, and sexual side effects. Some people also report fatigue, nervousness, or changes in weight. For some individuals, side effects improve after days, weeks, months, or not at all.

Weight gain can occur with long-term SSRI use, though it is not universal. Prozac has one of the lower likelihoods of weight gain amongst SSRIs. Some people may experience weight loss over time or no weight changes.

In some cases, Prozac may reduce appetite or increase energy, which can lead to weight loss. Some people may experience weight loss over time or no weight changes.

It can. Prozac may cause drowsiness or fatigue in some people, while others may feel more alert.

Initial improvements may appear within 2-3 weeks. Full mood and anxiety benefits typically take 4–6 weeks or longer. For OCD, the improvement may occur gradually over 10-14 weeks.

When Prozac begins to work, people often notice a gradual improvement in symptoms associated with the condition treated. This may include reduced anxiety, lifting of mood, as well as improvements in motivation, sleep, energy, and daily functioning.

Both Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) are SSRIs used for depression and anxiety-related disorders. Prozac has a longer half-life, meaning it stays in the body longer. The potential side effect profile is similar, but the likelihood of individual side effects varies. Both have FDA-approved and off-label indications.

Prozac (fluoxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are both SSRIs. Prozac is known to have a longer half-life and may be stimulating, while Lexapro is considered more tolerable for some.

Prozac is an SSRI, while Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). Prozac primarily helps with depression and anxiety disorders. Wellbutrin is FDA-approved for depression and smoking cessation, is not effective for anxiety-related disorders, and has off-label uses in treating ADHD and binge-eating.

Prozac is not known for being addictive when taken as prescribed by a clinician. Unlike benzodiazepines, SSRIs such as fluoxetine do not have a reputation for causing chemical dependence, but stopping suddenly may cause mild withdrawal-like symptoms (sometimes called discontinuation syndrome). According to a 2024 study, one in six to seven patients (~15%) who abruptly discontinue their medication experience discontinuation symptoms. Always follow your psychiatric provider’s directions on when to stop taking medications or change dosages.

The cost of Prozac varies depending on whether you are prescribed the brand-name medication or the generic version, fluoxetine.

    • Brand-name Prozac: As of publication date, prices typically range from about $435 for 30 capsules to around $1,394 for 100 capsules, depending on the dosage strength.
    • Generic fluoxetine: As of publication date, prices typically range from $6 to $8 for 30 capsules across available strengths.

If you have insurance, your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your supporting diagnosis and plan type (e.g., commercial, Medicare, Medicaid) and may include a copay or coinsurance.

If stopped suddenly, withdrawal symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, mood changes, headaches, or flu-like sensations. According to a 2024 study, one in six to seven patients (~15%) who abruptly discontinue their medication experience discontinuation symptoms. Always follow your psychiatric provider’s directions on when to stop taking medications or change dosages.

No. Prozac is not a controlled substance.

Try to avoid alcohol while on Prozac. Alcohol may worsen side effects like drowsiness and dizziness, and may reduce the medication’s effectiveness. SSRIs can make alcohol feel more intoxicating than usual.

Prozac is FDA-approved for panic disorder and OCD, and is often prescribed off-label for generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety.

Yes. Consult your prescribing clinician before starting, stopping, or combining any medications or substances with Prozac. Prozac may interact negatively with other medications, especially other antidepressants, migraine medications, blood thinners, MAOIs, certain pain and herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort. These interactions may increase the risk of side effects or more serious problems such as serotonin syndrome.

Prozac is known to have a long half-life, meaning it stays in your body longer. Prozac may remain in the body for about 5 days after stopping, which is one reason discontinuation effects may be less severe than with other SSRIs.

Yes, overdose is possible. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, seizures, irregular heartbeat, or confusion. Always take Prozac as prescribed by your clinician.

Prozac may be prescribed during pregnancy with no known risk to the pregnancy, mother, or long-term risk of fetal or childhood growth and development. Whereas untreated depression may increase the risk of postpartum depression in mothers and lead to concerns for the baby. It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of any medication for both the mother and baby with your healthcare provider.

Prozac and Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) may be prescribed together, and in most cases will not cause any difficulty. But for some individuals, the combination may increase the risk of side effects such as nervousness or insomnia. Consult your prescribing clinician before starting, stopping, or combining any medications or substances with Prozac.

Prozac does pass into breast milk. Many infants tolerate it well, but some may experience irritability, poor feeding, or sleep problems. Always follow your psychiatric provider’s directions on when to take prescription medications.

photo of LifeStance provider Joshua Nathan, MD

Medically Reviewed By:

Joshua Nathan, MD
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Dr. Joshua Nathan, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, sees stigma – from others and from ourselves - as the biggest challenge in mental illness treatment. He encourages people to not judge themselves on whatever problems they are facing, and he helps them feel safe to open up and allow for healing. Dr. Nathan takes joy in helping people with mental health concerns and values the trust patients place in him. Dr. Nathan treats adults struggling with mood and bipolar disorders, depression, ADHD, anxiety challenges such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, PTSD, and more. He listens to each person’s story, observes how they are faring, and shares his understanding of what is happening, so there is a basis for starting or continuing treatment. He considers medications as one tool among many for healing and recovery in mental health. During treatment, Dr. Nathan uses an eclectic framework for understanding mental illness and coping. Trained in psychoanalysis, he finds that existential understanding helps many people reduce suffering, but cognitive-behavioral techniques are more practical in helping people move forward. Thus, he typically employs a combination of theories and techniques, guided by the patient's problems, needs, and experiences. He is also an Official ADHD Evaluator for the National Football League. Dr. Nathan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a medical doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed postgraduate residency training at Brown University. He works with adults of all ages, but has a special fondness for working with young and middle-age adults.

References

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.). Depression during pregnancy. ACOG. Retrieved October 7, 2025, from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/depression-during-pregnancy

  2. Drugs.com. (n.d.). Prozac Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs. Retrieved October 7, 2025, from https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/prozac

  3. Gibbons, R. D., Brown, C. H., Hur, K., Marcus, S. M., Bhaumik, D. K., & Mann, J. J. (2007). Relationship between antidepressants and suicide attempts: an analysis of the Veterans Health Administration data sets. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(7), 1044-1049.

  4. Henssler, Jonathan et al. (2024) Incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, Volume 11, Issue 7, 526 – 535.

  5. Salamon, M. (2024, August 2). Weighing in on weight gain from antidepressants. . Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/weighing-in-on-weight-gain-from-antidepressants-202408023063

  6. Pfeffer, C. R. (2007). The FDA pediatric advisories and changes in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(6), 843-846. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.2007.164.6.843

In 2007, the FDA released a black box warning that antidepressants were correlated to the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18–24) during short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions. Gibbons et. al (2007) also published a study that found no evidence of antidepressant treatment increasing the risk of suicide attempts among its patients (ages 18-65+). The main message is that there is an inherent relationship between depression and suicidality so close monitoring of antidepressant-treated patients (especially children, adolescents, and young adults) is always necessary. For a comprehensive overview of these medications’ uses and risks, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label.