The pharmaceutical medication Prozac has been around since 1987, and has spawned much talk and debate over the years. Discussions centered around its effectiveness, uses, prescription rates, and contraindications have been splashed across the pages of magazines, newspapers, blogs, and websites. In fact, a book questioning the over-drugging of America, Prozac Nation, hit the bestseller list several years ago.
Prozac is a drug that's primarily used to treat depression, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and (sometimes) ADHD. As antidepressants go, its name is probably the one most known by the general public, as it has been in the spotlight so often. (Sometimes, it almost seems as if "everyone who is anyone" took Prozac at one time or another.)
Unlike other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are used to treat the illnesses mentioned above, Prozac has an "energizing" effect. (Ironically, it's the resulting euphoria that many claim cause patients to become addicted to Prozac.)
Prozac was originally prescribed for adults, but on June 7, 2006, the European Medicines Agency publicly announced that Prozac could be prescribed for anyone age 8 and up. (However, they did add the caveat that therapy should always accompany Prozac use, especially in youngsters.)
Prozac has a wide variety of side effects, ranging from the mild to the life-threatening. Those include anxiety, insomnia, weakness, skin rash, weight loss or gain, loss of sex drive, and serotonin syndrome. Additionally, many individuals have come forward, claiming other contraindications and adverse reactions to Prozac, leading many to question whether the drug was pushed into the market before it had fully been studied.
The most serious lawsuits have alleged that Prozac can cause suicidal thoughts, tendencies, and actions in patients. Obviously, those side effects were unintended by both the users of the drug and their physicians who prescribed the medication in good faith. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been so concerned by these suicide-related allegations that it recently issued a "black box warning" for Prozac (especially when the medication is taken by children and adolescents.)
If you or someone you care about was prescribed Prozac and endured adverse side effects to the drug, such as suicidal feelings or acts, our lawyers would like to talk with you. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering, but if you hesitate the statute of limitations in your state could prevent your case from getting off the ground. Contact our Prozac lawyers today!
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| Roger Elliott says: | 2010-07-05 06:11:32 |
| Hello: I am writting in reference to my nephew, he has taken Prozac, and tried to commit suicide two different times, on both occasions, he told his doctor the side effects he was having, they continued to give him the drug and increased the dose, this last time almost cost him his life and is just today getting out of the hospital on his latest attempt, who should his mother My neice reach to discuss the situation. Thank you Roger | |
| Karen Hankins says: | 2010-05-13 07:13:51 |
| My 24-yr-old daughter began taking Prozac on 4/20/10 to help with her mild depression and anxiety due to Aspergenr's Syndrome. By 4/27/10 she was exhibiting EXTREME agitation, euphoria w/mood fluctuations, paranoia, hallucinations, and a psychotic behavior ALL OF WHICH WERE NOT PRESENT BEFORE SHE STARTED TAKING PROZAC. On 5/03/10 she collapsed while on a walk and was found by a passer-by who called 9-1-1. She was transported by ambulance and admitted to a hospital psych ward. She was released on 5/10/10 and is still suffering with residual symptoms that her doctors are trying to manage with different medications. As a result she has incurred THOUSANDS of dollars of medical expenses (about $20k so far) which are fully her responsibility since she was currently unemployed and thus uninsured. I recently obtained a full power-of-attorney so I can help her. Please provide your opinion ASAP. | |
| Terri Mitchell north says: | 2010-01-26 18:49:02 |
| Back in 2002 doctor put me on Prozac after a robbery in to the 5th week on taking it I all most lost my life by killing my self I lost my drivers lic for I got into my car and got into a car rec I never even know I wS in the car this has robed me on my freedom to drive and have to see a therapist since this It was 8 years ago can you plzzzzzz help me I have many problem medical since this I saw many doctors that told me the doctor should have saw I was having a reaction to the Prozac 2 days before the suaside attemp I have a hard time holding a job since this and hard time with spelling now and counting I was a bank manager before this happened plzzzzzz help me if you can Ty Terri | |
| Jim says: | 2009-12-10 13:46:34 |
| I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia that has now gone to generalized dystonia. not sure if prozac is the cause, but i have been takening it for 14 years. never was i informed that prozac could cause this. same as Dayna i am disabled now. | |
| Dayna Hill says: | 2009-11-18 21:15:59 |
| I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia/spasmodic torticolis and suffer from migraines, insomnia, and anxiety after taking prozac for about 2 years. I am now disabled as a result of the chronic pain and lack of mobility. | |
| Crystal Russ says: | 2009-11-10 13:20:18 |
| While taking Prozac in 2003, or '04 I attempted suicide | |
| Hal Mortonstein says: | 2007-01-12 15:22:01 |
| Some good info here for Prozac users and Prozac lawsuits - thanks | |