Though Prozac is one of the most common antidepressants prescribed in the United States, many people aren't familiar with Prozac side effects. Read on to learn more about the most common side effects of Prozac and what you should do if you experience too much discomfort.
Common Prozac Side Effects
Prozac (fluoxetine) is frequently prescribed to patients who suffer from depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, and panic disorders. Though studies have shown Prozac side effects are not typically long term, the drug can alter the different systems of the body to produce short-term and problematic side effects.
Whole Body
Here are the most common side effects on the body as a whole:
Frequent
- Dry mouth
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Hypothyroidism
- Nausea
- Weight gain
Infrequent or Rare
- Acute abdominal syndrome
- Face edema
- Fever
- Intentional overdose or injury
- Malaise
- Migraine
- Pelvic pain
- Photosensitivity reaction
Cardiovascular System
Here are the most common side effects on the cardiovascular system:Frequent
- Hemorrhage
- Hypertension
- Palpitation
Infrequent or Rare
- Angina pectoris
- Arrhythmia
- Atrial fibrillation
- Cerebral embolism
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart arrest
- Hypotension
- Myocardial infarct
- Phlebitis
- Syncope
- Tachycardia
- Thrombosis
- Vascular headache
- Ventricular fibrillation
Digestive System
Here are the most common side effects on the digestive system:Frequent
- Increased appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Infrequent or Rare
- Colitis
- Diarrhea
- Eructation
- Fatty liver deposits
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gum hemorrhage
- Hemorrhage of the colon
- Hepatitis
- Incontinence
- Increased salivation
- Melena
- Mouth ulceration
- Salivary gland enlargement
- Tongue edema
- Ulcers
Hemic and Lymphatic System
Here are the most common side effects on the hemic and lymphatic systems. All of these side effects are infrequent or rare:
- Anemia
- Blood dyscrasia
- Ecchymosis
- Hypochromic anemia
- Leukopenia
- Lymphedema
- Lymphocytosis
- Petechia
- Purpura
- Thrombocythemia
- Thrombocytopenia
Metabolic
Here are the most common metabolic or nutritional side effects. All of these are infrequent or rare:
- Alcohol Intolerance
- Dehydration
- Gout
- Hyperkalemia
- Hyperuricemia
- Increased alkaline phosphatase
- Increased BUN
- Increased SGPT
- Iron Deficiency
Musculoskeletal System
Here are the most common side effects on the musculoskeletal system. All of these side effects are infrequent or rare:
- Arthritis
- Bone pain
- Bursitis
- Leg cramps
- Tenosynovitis
- Arthrosis
- Myasthenia
- Myopathy
- Myositis
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Nervous System
Here are the most common side effects on the nervous system:Frequent
- Agitation
- Amnesia
- Confusion
- Sleep disorder
Infrequent or Rare
- Abnormal electroencephalogram
- Abnormal gait
- Acute brain syndrome
- Antisocial reaction
- Apathy
- Ataxia
- CNS depression
- Coma
- Decreased reflexes
- Delusions
- Depersonalization
- Dystonia
- Euphoria
- Foot drop
- Hallucinations
- Hostility
- Hyperesthesia
- Hypertonia
- Increased libido
- Increased reflexes
- Neuralgia
- Neuritis
- Neuropathy
- Neurosis
- Paralysis
- Paranoid reaction
- Personality disorder
- Psychosis
- Stupor
- Vertigo
Respiratory System
Here are the most common side effects on the respiratory system. All of these side effects are infrequent or rare:
- Apnea
- Asthma
- Atelectasis
- Emphysema
- Epistaxis
- Hemoptysis
- Hiccups
- Hyperventilation
- Hypoventilation
- Hypoxia
- Larynx edema
- Stridor
Skin and Appendages
Here are the most common Prozac side effects on the skin and appendages. All of these side effects are infrequent or rare:
- Acne
- Alopecia
- Contact dermatitis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Rashes
- Seborrhea
- Skin discoloration
- Skin ulcer
Help for Prozac Side Effects
If you are experiencing any of the Prozac side effects mentioned above, you shouldn't quit taking your medication. Prozac is a strong drug and patients who quit taking it have been known to have problems. Instead, you should speak with your doctor and describe some of the Prozac side effects that are troubling you the most. Your physician may be able to recommend something to ease your problems or may decide to change your dosage. If you are experiencing serious discomfort, there may be another type of medicine that you can try.
