What is fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules 20mg for depression?

I have been described these for a month moderate/mild depression. GP didnt give much advice. Any informaton about these tablets would be great.

Fluoxetine is an anti-depressant, it's trade name is Prozac and its probably one of the most, if not the most well known anti-depressants. It is a SSRI anti-depressant, these are popular amongst doctors as a first choice of drug because they generally have less potential side effects than older anti-depressants, and they are also relatively harmless if taken in overdose. I'd say in the UK, Fluoxetine and Citalopram seem to be the anti-depressants most doctors try their patients on first.

20mg is the dose patients are normally started on of Fluoxetine as it is the therapeutic dose (the minimum dose for the drug to make a positive difference basically). If you dont notice any significant improvement on 20mg you and your GP may decide to increase the drug, or try another anti-depressant. Many people have to experiment before finding an anti-depressant that is suited to them, they effect everyone differently.

Personally, I've been on Flueoxetine for 9 months. On its own it didnt improve my depression significantly but I now take it with another anti-depressant and my mood is much more balanced. There is some evidence to suggest the other anti-depressant I now take, "Mirtazapine" can help other anti-depressants to work better as well as working in their own right.

My GP told me the most common complaint she hears about Fluoxetine is that people have problems sleeping. I experienced this. When I put my head down at night I just didnt feel tired at all! It was pretty odd. This did pass though. I also experienced vivid dreams for a long time and restlessness when my dose was first increased to 40mg.

What I would say is that if you experience side effects, unless they are unbearable to stick with it as side effects often ease or go fully after the few weeks.

The ideal length of time to be on Fluoxetine is 6-12 months, and if you complete a course it may help to prevent your depression coming back in the future.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

The DR should give you advice! Especially if he is writing a script.
With all medication there is an info leaflet included, but you can always go to your chemist and they will supply you with an info printout.

It is disgusting that GPs are so quick to dish out the tabs, but slow to dish out the important stuff, like info! Alot of GPs get a kick back from the companies and some get a lovely bonus from the govt for prescribing anything!

I found these tabs to be excellent for me. I didnt have any of the wierd stuff with them, unlike the well known brands.

When you get the script filled, ask for the generic brands. Yes there are some. I got my generics for about $12! where as the well known brands - you will pay the minimum pbs charge of $32.90.
Your chemist may not offer you a generic brand, so do some searching. You will save heaps!

Of course you can order these with your script from online chemists too. They will often give you a good price.

The Black dog:
With any depression, it can fool you into thinking you are ok so you dont need the tabs...See your GP if you experience this..
thats why they call depression "The black dog" cause it is sneaky. You cant see a black dog in the dark.

All the best. Love yourself.

Some information from a forensic psychiatrist in Australia will give you a clear understanding of what fluoxetine (prozac) is and can do
http://www.lucire.com.au/documents/new-d...

and some other information by an expert of these drugs on how to get off prozac (and other 'me too' drugs made by other manufacturers which are in the same class) SAFELY.
http://www.mind.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/59D6...

Reasons why doctors give out these drugs so quickly:
http://www.psychotropical.com/ad_rev.sht...
http://blog.synthesis.net/2008/01/18/bre...

Finally some of the real life results from decades of drug companies deceiving doctors by hiding negative clinical trial results - many of whom remain deceived as they apparently don't have time to research emerging evidence:
http://www.ssristories.com/index.php?sor...

You take care girl.

prozac... simply... there isn't much to advise about them except that you will feel a bit odd for the first month of taking em... but if you experience a lot of euphoria (massive happy thoughts) then i would return to your dr and ask about that. also read up on all the side effects etc, (wikipedia.org is a good source) but most of all relax, it's one of the most common prescribed anti-depressants.

That's "prozac".
It's an SSRI antidepressant.

Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoxetine for more details!!

Just one of the many antidepressants you could have been prescribed. A low dose - you need to see the doc again at the end of this period to see how it has affected you and where to go next.

It's Prozac.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100...

Not such a great doctor to prescribe Prozac and give no info, they can cause a worsening of depression and suicidal thoughts. Do not go off them with out consulting your Dr.