Prozac And Pregnancy
Contents:
- Main Characteristics
- Pharmacological Effect
- The Range of Use
- Terms of Use And Dosage
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Drug Withdrawal
- Side Effects
Prozac in Pregnancy
Prozac (fluoxetine) is bicyclic antidepressant, one of the well-known representatives of the SSRI class of drugs. This medication improves mood, reduces feelings of fear, anxiety, tension, and also eliminates dysphoria, not causing sedative effect on the central nervous system, orthostatic collapse, it is also not cardiotoxic.
Main Characteristics
The drug is available in the form of hard gelatin capsules, each of them contains 20 mg of fluoxetine hydrochloride.
Pharmacological Effect
The active component of fluoxetine is a bicyclic antidepressant (propylamine derivative), which belongs to the SSRI class. The drug at the small quantity has an effect on dopaminergic, histamine (H1), α-adrenergic and cholinergic receptors, thereby its side effects are minimal. Fluoxetine increases the concentration of the serotonin neurotransmitter in the brain, thereby the stimulating effect on the nervous system is increased.
The Range of Use
In the official package leaflet it is stated that the Prozac capsules are meant for oral administration for the relief of the following disorders:
- obsessive compulsory disorder;
- depressions of different nature (weak, moderate, severe).
The drug is effective in case of eating disorders (bulimia nervosa), obsessive compulsory disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and for the purpose of relief of other mental disorders (in the complex) – schizoaffective syndromes, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, alcoholism. Prozac is more effective for the treatment of depression with motor retardation, pathological drowsiness; this drug may also enhance the clinical course of mental disorders in patients with morbid excitement, anxiety and insomnia, so it is prescribed to such patients with caution.
Terms of Use and Dosage
During Prozac therapy, its dosage regimen should be administered on the basis of clinical symptoms and severity of mental disorders.
According to the official package leaflet, Prozac method of application is as follows:
- in case of obsessive compulsory disorder: the optimal dose ranges of 20-60 mg per day.
in case of depression – the optimal starting dose is 20 mg per day.; - in case of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the optimal maintenance dose – 20 mg per day;
- in case of eating disorder (bulimia nervosa): medication is prescribed at a dose not exceeding 60 mg per day.
The optimal doses mentioned above may be increased or, on the contrary, lowered, but the maximum daily dose should not exceed 80 mg, the higher doses have not been studied.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
During experimental studies, no data was committed on the negative effects of fluoxetine on the intrauterine fetus development during pregnancy, however, such treatment during pregnancy is not recommended. The drug can be administered by the attending doctor only in those cases, where the presumptive positive effect for the mother is beyond the possible negative consequences for the fetus. Fluoxetine effect on the generic activity has not been established.
Drug Withdrawal
Prozac and other SSRIs representatives are characterized by withdrawal syndrome (often paroxetine), usually this state lasts for 1-7 days. It is necessary to avoid abrupt Prozac withdrawal, a decision to stop the treatment is adopted by the attending doctor by gradually reducing the dosage.
The most common symptoms of Prozac withdrawal may include the following phenomena:
- insomnia;
- dizziness;
- unstable gait;
- tremor;
- paresthesia;
- impairment of vision;
- anxiety;
- dyspeptic disorders, sometimes diarrhea.
In cases where during the withdrawal process the undesirable clinical symptoms occure, contact your healthcare specialist, he will choose the appropriate treatment.
Side Effects
Typically, Prozac is well tolerated, but in some cases there may be systemic side effects due to the fluoxetine.
- side effects affecting the genitourinary system: anorgasmia, libido disorder, impotence, urination disorders;
- Endocrine system: ADH synthesis disorder;
- GIT: dysgeusia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, dysphagia, idiosyncratic hepatitis;
- ANS: sweating, dryness in the mouth, chills, vasodilation, serotonin syndrome;
- CNS and peripheral nervous system: insomnia or drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, epileptic seizure, myoclonus, tremor, ataxia, abnormal thinking, agitation, memory problems, fatigue, mania (hypomania), increased suicidal tendencies;
- Eyes: blurred vision, mydriasis;
- CVS: cardiac arrhythmias;
- Skin: vasculitis, rash, pruritus, urticaria, anaphylactic reactions, photosensitivity;
- Other side effects: ecchymoses, yawning, hyperprolactinemia, anorexia.
Contraindications And Additional Information
In the official package leaflet, it is stated that Prozac is contraindicated in the following cases:
- children up to age 18;
- increased individual sensitivity to fluoxetine and excipients;
- severe hepatic or renal insufficiency.
Prozac should be used with caution during pregnancy and conception planning due to the possibility of fetal malformations.