Prozac
The effects, the risks, the law.
Slang:
Happy pills, bottled smiles.
Background:
Prozac is the brand name of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine. It is available on prescription, and comes in green and white capsules.
The effects:
- When prescribed in the treatment of depression, Prozac works by affecting the brain's mood-altering serotonin levels;
- Some users have experienced side-effects, including insomnia, diarrhoea,loss of appetite, anxiety and headaches;
- Some sexual side-effects have also been reported, including difficulties reaching orgasm;
- Prozac, like all antidepressants, may not work for everyone;
- Give at least two weeks for anti-depressants to work, but go back to your doctor if there's no change after four to six weeks;
- Taking just one tablet, rather than a course of them is unlikely to have any noticeable effect on your mood;
- If you're not depressed in the first place, taking some Prozac is not going to make you feel 'happy'.
The risks:
- The long term implications of regular misuse of Prozac is not yet fully understood;
- Mixing Prozac with other drugs, particularly ecstasy or alcohol, can be dangerous;
- Taking Prozac with some other anti-depressant medical drugs can cause very high blood pressure, vomiting and shock and has led to some people being hospitalised.
The law:
Prozac is legal when prescribed under prescription. Supply or possession with intent to supply is illegal, and Class C penalties apply.
