Prozac (Fluoxetine)

FDA Approved

Overall, patient sentiment regarding Prozac is mixed, with many users reporting significant benefits while others experience notable side effects. The average rating of 3.51 suggests a moderate level of satisfaction, and 61.53% of users would recommend it to others.

Commonly Reported Benefits

  • Many users report significant mood improvement, including reduced depression and increased happiness.
  • Prozac is often praised for its effectiveness in managing anxiety, leading to a calmer state of mind.
  • Users frequently mention increased energy and motivation, enhancing their daily productivity.

Commonly Reported Side Effects

  • Common side effects include headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, which can impact daily functioning.
  • Some users experience gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and upset stomach.
  • Emotional disturbances, including increased anxiety and mood swings, are reported by a number of patients.

Overall Takeaway

Prozac is recognized for its potential to improve mood and manage anxiety, with many users experiencing life-changing benefits. However, it is important to be aware of the possible side effects, including neurological issues and emotional disturbances, which can affect some individuals significantly. As with any medication, experiences can vary widely, and ongoing communication with healthcare providers is essential for optimal management.

Effectiveness

Users report improvement

68%

Side Effects

Reported side effects

39%

Would Recommend

To others with same condition

67%

Avg. Duration

Average reported usage duration

N/A

Side Effects Frequency
Percentage of users reporting each side effect
Sentiment Analysis
User sentiment from reviews and feedback
Positive
56%
Neutral / Mixed
18%
Negative
27%

UN

Mixed
5/28/2025
prozac gave me a psychotic episode, i got characters in my head and i attacked my mother... on the other hand my boyfriend's taking it and doing fine!

CH

Negative
5/13/2023
I'm on 21 days today. Lack of sex drive, harder to orgasm, very spaced out, my body odour has got way worse (sweating the same amount - I've just changed smell).

_M

Negative
5/14/2023
Loss of appetite but slowly getting better. 40mg

CL

Positive
4/17/2018
I’ve been on it 6 weeks and I’m feeling a lot better. My depression was stronger than my anxiety, although I had both. The first 2 weeks I had some uncomfortable side effects- headaches, nausea, increased anxiety and rapid heartbeat- but then they subsided. At the 2 week mark, I definitely felt better. Then at 3 weeks, even better. And still, it’s gradually getting better. From all I’ve read, Prozac is one of the best SSRIs- it’s been around for a long time so its been studied quite a bit. It’s also the least likely SSRI to cause weight gain, which was one of my biggest concerns. And so far, I’ve actually lost a few pounds. Good luck! (I’m on 10 mg per day)

TR

Mixed
5/17/2018
I've been on Prozac since March 2016. Over 2 years now. Yes I do feel happier with my life, and more content. And I was able to fake being happy and fake smile in order to get a job. But all the underlying problems are still there. I still never get invited anywhere by my co-workers. I still don't have any friends or a girlfriend. Yes Prozac is a mask for depression- I just don't care at this point. I'll take that mask.

EL

Positive
4/18/2018
I've improved a lot with it. I'm still depressed, but my mood doesn't swing as low and I'm able to function at work and school. It also has comparatively few side effects. The crappy thing about meds is that it can take a lot of time to narrow down what works for you. At a minimum you need to be willing to commit several months or more to the process.

PU

Neutral
4/18/2018
It’ll take at least 21 days for the medication to kick in. Depending on the dosage, the side effects will vary. For me, I had memory issues and a huge loss in appetite. I would usually take it in combination with a tricyclic or anxiety medication so I can’t speak on the use of Prozac on its own. Give it some time, and check regularly with your psychiatrist. I was slowly weaned off of it and am now med free

NE

Negative
4/18/2026
I took Prozac for 1 week before I had a dream from God that resulted in the religious delusion that God wanted me to kill myself for the greater good. I was switched to Zoloft after 4 weeks. I was hospitalized a month or so later and kept on it and then Risperidone was added. I didn’t really have any side effects from Zoloft except sexual dysfunction. Taking it with Risperidone, after a little while I suddenly didn’t have OCD anymore, my phobias and PTSD symptoms also went away and my social anxiety partially improved. 

BO

Positive
4/18/2026
Zoloft made me hypomanic, even while on a mood stabilizer. Prozac does great for me.
Frequently Asked Questions about Prozac (Fluoxetine)

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