Prozac is a commonly prescribed medication to treat depression and anxiety, but it can also cause some side effects that may be more predominant in women.
Prozac affects the brain by increasing the neurotransmitter serotonin. This can help people who suffer from depression to feel happier and more at ease. Prozac is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, and panic disorders.
In this guide, we are going to break down the possible Prozac side effects in women to help you determine if you or a loved one are suffering from Prozac abuse.
What is Prozac?
Prozac, also known as fluoxetine, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It increases the serotonin in the brain and can make you feel happier. It can also help you sleep better if you suffer from insomnia.
However, there is a growing concern about people misusing psychotherapy drugs like Prozac. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 1.6 million Americans misused prescription psychotherapeutic drugs in the past year.
Why Does Prozac Affect Women Differently?
Women experience different side effects from men due to their hormonal differences, body composition as well as how they process medication.
Hormonal fluctuations during the month can also change how women respond to medications. Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and even going through menopause can alter how women can metabolize Prozac.
Side Effects of Prozac in Women
There are side effects of Prozac that can affect women more than men. This is because women process the substance differently. Prozac side effects in women can look like:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Weight changes
- Sexual dysfunction
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
Effects of Prozac on Pregnancy
Though Prozac is generally considered safe to take throughout pregnancy, women should consult their doctors or healthcare providers if they are taking Prozac and become pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant.
Recent studies have shown that there could be a slight increase in possible congenital complications if Prozac is taken during pregnancy. However, if pregnant women are suffering from depression, they must speak to a healthcare provider and look at all their options to get the help they need.
Effects of Prozac on Female Hormones
Prozac can alter your hormones and throw off your menstrual cycle. Women can experience many different side effects while taking Prozac that affect their menstrual cycle like:
- Irregular cycles
- Lighter menstrual bleeding
- Heavier menstrual bleeding
- Increase in premenstrual symptoms like cramping, premenstrual mood disorder, and headaches.
Prozac and Bulimia Nervosa
Prozac is something prescribed to women who suffer from bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder where people often binge eat and then make themselves throw up to lose weight.
Prozac can help stabilize your mood and make you less tempted to binge and purge after eating. Women can also feel tempted to misuse the medication to self-medicate their eating disorder, which can easily lead to an addiction. It’s important to speak to a doctor or healthcare provider if you are suffering from an eating disorder.
Serious Side Effects of Prozac
Though Prozac can be an effective medication for depression, it can also come with some serious side effects that everyone should be aware of. The risk of these side effects increases in nonmedical users and people who take more than directed.
Serious side effects include:
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts
- Mood swings
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Nervousness
- Palpitations
- Increased heart rate
- Severe allergic reactions
- Serotonin syndrome
- Abnormal bleeding
- Manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder
Prozac Side Effects: Suicidal Thoughts
In very rare cases, Prozac can cause people to experience suicidal thoughts and tendencies. This is especially a risk when people first start taking the medication or get their dosages adjusted. Though it is more common in young adults and adolescents, anyone can experience an increase in suicidal thoughts when taking Prozac. This is also a threat for nonmedical users of Prozac or people who take too much of their medication.
It’s important that anyone, particularly young adults who are prescribed Prozac, get monitored by health providers as well as loved ones for signs of worsening depression and suicidal thoughts.
Can Prozac Cause Seizures?
Though the risk of having a seizure when taking the correctly prescribed amount of Prozac is rare, it does increase with heavier doses. People who take more than directed or take it for nonmedical use have an increased risk of suffering from a seizure. People who have a history of epilepsy should speak to a doctor before they start taking Prozac.
What are the Signs of Prozac Abuse?
It may be challenging to tell if you or a loved one are suffering from a Prozac dependence. Addiction can look and feel different in everyone, but there are some common warning signs to look out for.
- Taking pills frequently
- Finishing Prescriptions early
- Obsession with obtaining the medication
- Using Prozac For nonmedical reasons
- Financial issues
- Mania
- Social withdrawal
- Irritability
- Mood Swings
- Flu-like symptoms
Women’s Treatment for Prozac Abuse
At New Directions For Women, we are dedicated to providing care to women who are suffering from Prozac addiction. We offer treatment to women suffering from Prozac abuse in varying levels of care. From detox and residential facilities to outpatient programs, we tailor each program to help meet clients wherever they are so they can get the help they need to tackle their addiction once and for all.
Detox
Withdrawing from Prozac can be scary, especially if you also suffer from mental health disorders. Our detox programs help each client withdraw from addictions to Prozac in a safe and comfortable space. At New Directions for Women, we have medical professionals who monitor clients around the clock and can prescribe medication to ease withdrawal symptoms as well as stop drug cravings. We want each client to be able to focus solely on their recovery.
Residential Treatment
We want each woman to be able to tackle their addiction in a safe and comfortable environment. Our residential program has multiple phases. The first phase starts following detox. Afterward, we help the client transition using proven therapeutic practices like group therapy. The final phase is extended care. Addiction looks different on everyone, and we tailor each plan to meet each client’s specific needs and consider what she values most. We want each woman who sets foot in our doors to experience their full spectrum of health and get on the road to sobriety.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment treatment doesn’t work for everyone, which is why we offer an outpatient program that offers each client recovery skills and addiction counseling. We accommodate women in various stages of early recovery, with the goal being complete sobriety from drugs or alcohol.
We are also passionate about tailoring each rehabilitation program to accommodate all women. Our outpatient programs can be done on a full or partial-day basis. We tailor this program to help women living in a sober community or with supportive loved ones nearby. Our staff is experienced in helping women of every population and can tailor each program to meet the needs of any woman who needs help.
Outpatient treatment is tailored to help women who live in sober living communities or have supportive loved ones nearby. Our staff is highly experienced with working with this population and can personalize their program to meet the needs of each client stepping into our facilities.
New Directions for Women Can Help
Battling an addiction can be scary and overwhelming. At New Directions For Women, we offer each woman a strong support system so they can live a life of sobriety. If you are worried that you or a loved one suffers from addiction, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help you start the next chapter of your life.
Sources:
2021 (Harvard Health) What are the real risks of antidepressants?
2021 (National Library of Medicine What I have learnt from helping thousands of people taper off antidepressants and other psychotropic medications
2024 (Lindner Center For Hope) Side Effects of Antidepressants in Females – What Women Should Know
