Description
Fluoxetine, sold under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem, among others, is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
To treat depression, the recommended starting dose of fluoxetine for adults is 20 mg. After several weeks, your doctor may advise you to increase the dose if your symptoms have not improved. The maximum recommended dose of fluoxetine is 60 mg daily. Once your symptoms have been brought under control, the lowest effective dose of fluoxetine as prescribed by your doctor should be used to keep the symptoms from coming back. Your doctor may advise you to keep taking fluoxetine for several months.
For the eating disorder bulimia nervosa, the recommended adult dosage is 60 mg taken daily, although lower doses may be effective. The recommended dose of fluoxetine to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder ranges from 20 mg to 60 mg taken once daily.
