Prozac reviews: what patients,  providers and the data say

Prozac, or fluoxetine, is an antidepressant used to treat a variety of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and OCD. Discovered in the 1970s and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the 1980s, Prozac has been around for a while. But is it effective? And what’s it like to take this medication? Prozac reviews can help you figure that out. 

Learn about Prozac, how it works, and how it helps people feel more in control of their lives in this article. See what the research says and read Prozac reviews written by real people. Keep reading to find out how Prozac helps many people living with mental health conditions.

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About Prozac (fluoxetine)?

Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by increasing levels of serotonin (a brain chemical). Serotonin helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and plays a role in memory and stress. More serotonin means fewer symptoms from conditions like anxiety, depression, and more. 

Prozac is FDA-approved to treat:

• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Some eating disorders, like bulimia nervosa. 
• Acute depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder in combination with olanzapine

But, providers sometimes also use it off-label (for something it’s not FDA-approved for) to treat conditions like social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), binge eating disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). 

Does Prozac work – what research says

Research shows that Prozac works well for treating mental health conditions like depression, OCD, and more. 

A 2023 study published in Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) used longitudinal data (data gathered over time) to examine the effectiveness of antidepressants like Prozac in adults living with depression. The researchers found that after 1 year on Prozac, over 94% of participants saw an improvement in their psychological distress. 

A systematic review published in Current Neuropharmacology in 2019 showed that Prozac is both safe and effective for OCD. At doses between 40 and 60 milligrams, people with OCD reported improvements in intrusive thoughts, washing compulsions, the ability to cope with stressors, and their quality of life. The same study found that Prozac use was beneficial when used short- or medium-term (up to 6 months) by itself or in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 

Prozac reviews – what patients say

If you’re considering taking Prozac for anxiety, OCD, or depression, you’re probably interested in what real people have to say about it. Reading the positive and negative experiences of others can help you make a decision about the best next step for you. Keep reading to see what people have to say. 

Prozac for depression reviews

Reviewers on drugs.com rate Prozac 7 out of 10 for managing depression. Tha means overall people had good experiences with it, although not all. 

A reviewer named Dawn wrote the following on drugs.com, “I’ve been on it for a little over 2 months now, and I feel amazing. I’m sleeping better, not emotional eating. I’m happier, I haven’t cried except tears of joy because of how ALIVE I finally feel again. I feel like, for the longest time, I’ve been in this dark hole, just seeing the sun occasionally, but now I can feel the warmth of the sun kissing my skin…. I feel everything again. I’m also doing things I used to love that I eventually stopped doing when I was in my dark place. My kids are happy to have their mom back! I highly recommend this. Prozac saved my life."

Also, on drugs.com, a reviewer named Kate wrote, “Prozac made my depression significantly worse. I had never been suicidal and it made me have those thoughts which was terrifying for me. Luckily I was able to identify that this was unusual and had to stop the medication. I felt so much better after stopping, now I want to try a different medication but I am worried."

On Reddit.com, xxnata1i3xx shared, “I’ve been on Prozac for years. It’s made it possible to function. It allows me to be aware of what’s happening around me. It gets me out of bed. It restores my survival instinct. I owe it my life.”

Prozac for anxiety reviews

For anxiety, Prozac has a 7.4 out of 10 rating on drugs.com. You can look at that as about 70% of users had a good experience. 

About their experience with Prozac, on drugs.com, Patrick said, “I was encouraged by my psychiatrist to try Prozac for the first time, 20 mg a day…. At first, it made me a little drowsy, but it gave me a way better feeling of calmness, peace, and basically not worried at all about little things or what people thought of me. And after about a month, all of those chronic worry, stress, and fears were totally gone. Totally. In my own personal experience, Prozac allowed me to tackle the important things in life and not worry or even think of petty things and other people’s behavior. It basically gets rid of toxic stress and worry. And makes you mentally ‘strong’ if that makes sense."

Another reviewer on drugs.com, Zanna, shared, “I was started on Prozac 30mg daily for anxiety and panic disorder. Within three days of taking the medication, my thoughts no longer felt like my own, and I felt extremely confused. I was sitting in bed eating dinner with my boyfriend, and I suddenly had the worst panic attack symptoms I’ve experienced in my life. I felt lightheaded, my heart was beating out of my chest, my entire body was shaking, I was dripping sweat, and I couldn’t speak. The worst part is these symptoms lasted for over two days until the drug finally left my system.” Note a 30-milligram starting dose is three times the recommended starting dose for panic disorder and may have been a factor in this patient’s experience. 

Desperate-Gift-7163 wrote on Reddit.com, “I have had severe anxiety since childhood, and I literally don’t remember there was time I was calm and happy, I always was anxious, terrified, depressed, and scared of everything but maaaan, Prozac changed my life. I was terrified to take meds for my unending anxiety, but I eventually did take Prozac, and I’m living my best life right now, and I didn’t know people experience life in a calming, fun way. Anyone who needs to be medicated and scared, DON’T HESITATE. Your life is worth living.”

Prozac for OCD reviews 

Patients who took Prozac for OCD were mostly satisfied, giving it a rating of 8.1 out of 10 on drugs.com. 

Slimlys shared on drugs.com, “I was struggling badly with severe OCD, and it was taking over my life…  After the first month went by, everything got better for me. I noticed myself not worrying about OCD anymore and actually felt genuinely happy inside. It’s been 8 months on Prozac, and I can honestly say I love my life now, I’m truly happy and OCD isn’t something I’m controlled by anymore. Although it never goes away completely, it is now 100 percent manageable.”  

Alternative-Fix-7702 said on Reddit.com, “I started on 20mg of Prozac back in October of last year…. It worked wonders for me at that 6-week mark….  …it helped me IMMENSELY with my anxiety. …when the meds kicked in it was like I snapped back into reality. All of my thoughts that I would obsess over were just thoughts. …I was able to rationalize them and I understood that they were just thoughts and they didn’t define me.  …some of the side effects that I encountered were short-term memory loss, and my focus seemed to decrease a bit… but other than that, I was so …grateful that it allowed me to feel more like myself.” 

Provider reviews of Prozac

Reviews from real providers who prescribe Prozac offer valuable insights into how the medication works and why they may choose it over other options.

Zach Ladson, PA-C, a provider on Klarity Health, shares, “Prozac is a first-line treatment for a variety of anxiety and depression disorders. It is utilized very often due to its high efficacy, affordability, and ease of use, along with its generally minimal or tolerable side effect profile. Personally, I prescribe it often as a first-line treatment due to its lengthy half-life profile as compared to other agents in its class. This means that patients who abruptly discontinue their medication will be less likely to have withdrawal effects in comparison to other antidepressants because the medication will taper itself as it is metabolized out of the bloodstream. This is a useful trait of any medication but is especially useful in psychiatric medication since the general patient population is more likely to abruptly stop their medication without first consulting with their medical provider. Other SSRIs and most SNRIs do not have this trait and will be more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped, especially at higher doses."

What to know if you take Prozac

Before starting Prozac, you want to understand its potential side effects and warnings.

Let your provider know about any health conditions or medications you’re taking before starting Prozac. In some cases, Prozac can worsen existing conditions or interact negatively with medications. Tell your doctor if you:

• Currently take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), aspirin, warfarin, or other blood thinners due to the increased risk of bleeding.
• Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), like Marplan (isocarboxazid) or Nardil (phenelzine), within 5 weeks of taking Prozac, as this may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. 
• Take Pimozide or Thioridazine, as Prozac can interact with these medications and create heart rhythm issues
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as Prozac may lead to issues in newborns

Like many medications, there’s the risk of common or serious side effects when taking Prozac. 

Common side effects include:

• Unusual dreams
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness
• Dry mouth
• Flu symptoms
• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Changes in sleep habits
• Yawning
• Sexual problems 
• Sinus infection or sore throat
• Tremor or shaking
• Sweating
• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Hot flashes

Serious side effects include:

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors 
• New or worsening mental health symptoms like agitation, panic attacks or anxiety attacks, or thoughts harming yourself or others
• Serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when too much serotonin is present in the body and causes hallucinations, agitation, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and muscle rigidity)
• Severe allergic reactions such as trouble breathing,  rash, swelling of the face, tongue, eyes, or mouth
• Bruising or abnormal bleeding (this may be the case if you are taking blood thinners)
• Visual problems like eye pain, changes in vision, or swelling or redness in or around the eye
• Seizures
• Manic episodes 
• Low salt levels in the blood (particularly in older patients)

Common side effects of Prozac may subside over time. Still, share any side effects you have with your provider. If you experience serious side effects, contact your provider immediately and seek emergency services if needed. 

Your provider will share information with you about Prozac before starting the medication. They will also want to check in with you during follow up appointments to see how the medication is working or not. Your provider will work with you to find the right dose and make changes as needed. 

Key takeaway

• Prozac is a well-studied FDA-approved medication that’s effective for treating anxiety, depression, OCD, and more in adults. 
• Research shows that Prozac can help reduce intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors in people with OCD and decrease psychological distress in people living with depression. 
• Real patients who take Prozac for anxiety, depression, and OCD describe some common side effects in the first few weeks of taking the medication but most found that Prozac helped them feel happier, productive, and engaged and more socially engaged. 
• The best way to find out if Prozac may be right for you is to talk to a provider and share your history, symptoms, and any medication you’re currently on or have recently taken. 

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FAQs about Prozac

What does taking Prozac feel like?

Prozac is an antidepressant that works by increasing serotonin in the brain. When you begin taking it, you might experience mild yet common side effects like changes in appetite or sleeping patterns. As the medication builds up in your system and you adjust, you may experience improvements in your mood, sleep, appetite, and more. 

How well does Prozac work for anxiety?

Research shows that Prozac is effective in treating anxiety. A 2011 systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy of medications, including Prozac, in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The study found that Prozac was well-tolerated and was an effective treatment response to GAD. 

How well does Prozac work for OCD?

Research shows that Prozac works well for OCD. A 2019 study revealed that Prozac is effective for short-term and medium-term (up to 6 months) use. Patients taking doses between 40 and 60 milligrams reported improvements in obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. They also reported feeling better able to cope with stress and seeing an improvement in their quality of life. 

What does it feel like when Prozac starts working?

For the first couple of weeks after starting Prozac, you may not feel like your mood is improving. You might be feeling frustrated with side effects, but know that these typically go away. Once Prozac builds up on your system, you will likely start to notice improvements in your appetite, sleeping patterns, energy levels, anxiety, depression, and more. YOu may start noticing improvements in a week, but it can take 4 to 8 weeks for improvements in depression symptoms and 5 weeks for OCD symptoms.

Will Prozac make you feel happier?

Prozac works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin plays a key role in regulating mood. With more serotonin available, you may feel less anxious or depressed. You won’t necessarily feel happier.