One of the most popular antidepressants in the world is Fluoxetine, which is Prozac. Like its counterparts, this drug is addictive, as a result of which patients are "attached" to it as a drug. What is a common antidepressant and what exactly is it dangerous?
Antidepressant Fluoxetine as a drug
Prozac, more commonly known as the fluoxetine brand, is a drug from the antidepressant group. It is prescribed in the treatment of depression and obsessive conditions, in which the patient experiences constant fear and increased anxiety.
The drug has been actively used in the treatment of depressive disorder since 1980, when in America the prevalence of this disease has already taken the scale of a national catastrophe. Residents of the USA and Canada began to be actively treated with a new drug, as a result of which they began to call themselves "the generation of Prozac".Now, according to statistics, Fluoxetine is taken by 40 million people around the world.
So, some girls use the drug for weight loss, because Prozac reduces appetite. The danger is that it has the property of accumulating in the body, resulting in serious lesions of the central nervous system.
Although the antidepressant is designed to restore traction to life, with prolonged use the effect becomes reversed. Initially, a side effect in the form of euphoria is possible. However, later, nightmares begin to haunt the person, he develops neuroses and suicidal tendencies.
Indications
The preparation Fluoxetine is mainly prescribed for mental disorders, among which:
- Depression.
- Compulsive disorder.
- Bulimia.
According to some information, the drug also helps with anorexia nervosa, alcoholism, social phobia, diabetic neuropathy, affective disorders, autism, panic attacks, kleptomania. A complete list of additional indications for use is very wide, but at the same time it is controversial. There are research data, according to which the effect of using Prozac is comparable with the action of "placebo."
Principle of action
Fluoxetine selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin in the brain cells. As a result, the concentration of this substance rises in the synapses responsible for the transfer of neurotransmitters from the neuron to the neuron. The effect of serotonin on the postsynaptic links of the receptors is prolonged, while the drug does not affect the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters.
This is the pharmacological action of fluoxetine. Outwardly, it manifests itself in improving mood and stimulating effect. At the same time, anxiety disappears, appetite decreases, but the drug does not have a calming effect.
It is possible to trace the relationship between the action on the organism of Prozac and the drug. This antidepressant has a very strong effect and seriously affects the nervous system.
Uncontrolled taking of tablets instead of returning to life provokes the re-development of obsessive-compulsive disorders. After a brief euphoria, a person has obsessive thoughts that do not give him peace and force him to take action to overcome them.
There are also cases of hallucinations and psychoses on the background of the use of Prozac. All this often leads to attempts at suicide, the risk of which is particularly high at the age of 24 years.
On the video about the effect of antidepressants on the body:
The dangers and side effects of
Long-term use of fluoxetine, especially when self-administered, is fraught with many side effects from almost all organs and systems. About this in Canada, where the medicine has become incredibly popular, even filmed a film called "Generation Prozac."It was shown in Russia, but the video did not provoke public resonance.
The main danger of an antidepressant lies in its action on the central nervous system, on the side of which are possible:
Dizziness and headaches;In the 1980s, during the testing in Germany, the licensing authority of the country established: Fluoxetine is absolutely not suitable for the treatment of depression. Then the scientists found out that the drug causes hallucinations and psychoses, but in general, its side effects reach an unacceptable level of medicine.
In addition, according to unofficial statistics, Fluoxetine provokes 5.6 times more suicide attempts than other antidepressants. Only among Americans over 9 years 4 million people have experienced a fatal reaction to the drug.
Also widely known worldwide fame was shooting at the American school in 2005. The young man who took Prozac was a criminal. Subsequently, this drug scored the maximum in the history of the number of complaints related to the huge number of side effects, suicides and crimes committed under its influence.
In addition to the CNS, fluoxetine affects the cardiovascular system and blood, provoking:
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- vascular thrombosis;
- cardiac arrest;
- vasculitis;
- heart failure;
- myocardial infarction;
- anemia;
- leukocytosis;
- cerebral ischemia.
Serious defeat of the antidepressant can cause on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which provokes:
- decrease in appetite;
- anorexia;
- increased salivary glands;
- peptic ulcer disease;
- constipation and diarrhea;
- intestinal obstruction;
- colitis;
- gastritis;
- intestinal obstruction;
- pancreatitis.
Decreased appetite often leads to anorexia, which is why some girls take the drug in order to lose weight. Also described are cases where fluoxetine led to an increase in tonsils, pharyngitis, chills and fever, malignant neuroleptic syndrome and even death.
Overdose
As a result of an overdose of the drug, all side effects are exacerbated.
The first symptoms to look out for are:
- Nausea with vomiting.
- Anxiety.
- An excited state.
- Convulsions.
- Epileptic seizures.
Also officially recorded 2 cases of death due to an overdose of Fluoxetine. Patients took the drug simultaneously with Codeine, Temazepam and Maprotilin.
Prozac's antidote does not exist as such. Therefore, at the first signs of an overdose, a person should urgently wash the stomach and give him a drink of activated charcoal.
Subsequently, the patient will require symptomatic and supportive treatment. As medical practice shows, hemodialysis, diuretics and blood transfusion with an overdose of Fluoxetine are ineffective.
Legality
Due to the large number of suicides influenced by Prozac, this drug caused a lot of scandals in Europe. As a result, in a number of countries it was officially banned and withdrawn from sale. In Russia, despite all the worries about the antidepressant, he was included in the Register of Medicines and allowed for free sale in pharmacies.
Fluoxetine can be purchased only by prescription. However, the wide popularity of the drug throughout the world leads to the fact that some people acquire it illegally. On the Internet, even companies that offer related services operate.
Reviews of doctors
Although fluoxetine causes many side effects, doctors continue to prescribe it to their patients. However, most of them note that this drug shows a positive result only in severe forms of depression. In all other cases, the antidepressant acts as a placebo.
There is also an opposite opinion on the effect of fluoxetine. Thus, scientists from the University of Hull announced the results of a number of studies of the drug.
According to the data obtained, even with severe depression, this drug acts just like a dummy without an active substance. Positive dynamics was observed only in a small part of the subjects. Accordingly, American scientists argue that the appointment of fluoxetine is inappropriate in most cases.
All physicians converge in only one. Fluoxetine is a potent drug, so self-medication is unacceptable. Antidepressant should be used only on the recommendation of the attending physician and under his supervision.