LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Prozac: Antidepressants
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Prozac should not be taken until at least two weeks after MAOIs (e.g., Nardil and Parnate) are discontinued. Similarly, MAOIs should not be taken for at least five weeks after treatment with Prozac has been discontinued. The interaction between the two could produce fatal results. Consumers should always consult with their physicians when taking medications in addition to the prescribed antidepressant. Alcohol consumption should always be avoided when taking prescribed medications.
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The antidepressant, antiobsessive-compulsive, and antibulimic actions of fluoxetine (Prozac) are presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. Studies at clinically relevant doses in man have demonstrated that fluoxetine blocks the uptake of serotonin into human platelets. Studies in animals ... suggest that fluoxetine is a much more potent uptake inhibitor of serotonin than of norepinephrine.
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Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Prozac. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE Prozac if you are ... taking astemizole, dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, sibutramine, terfenadine, thioridazine, tramadol, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking cisapride, clozapine, cyclobenzaprine, cyproheptadine, lithium, propafenone, selegiline, tricyclic antidepressants, or medicine for seizures. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Prozac.
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Prescribers or other health professionals should inform patients, their families, and their caregivers about the benefits and risks associated with treatment with Prozac and should counsel them in its appropriate use. A patient Medication Guide About Using Antidepressants in Children and Teenagers is available for Prozac. The prescriber or health professional should instruct patients, their families, and their caregivers to read the Medication Guide and should assist them in understanding its contents. Patients should be given the opportunity to discuss the contents of the Medication Guide and to obtain answers to any questions they may have. The complete text of the Medication Guide is reprinted at the end of this document.
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Someone starting treatment with Prozac may notice some improvement, particularly in concentration and increased energy, within one week. As with other antidepressants, it usually takes three to six weeks for the full therapeutic effect of the drug to be felt. The medication should be taken at the prescribed dose for six full weeks before evaluating its effectiveness.
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Many depressed patients do not improve with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Antidepressants, such as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft. Prozac and Paxil only increase serotonin and norepinephrine activity. When serotonin is increased above normal levels with medication, the brain downregulates dopamine production. Dopamine downregulation explains why some patients become suicidal on "antidepressants."
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