What is Prozac (fluoxetine)?

Prozac (proh zak) belongs to a group of antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. It is a prescription oral medication used to treat depression and other mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and certain types of eating disorders. 

There may be other Prozac uses - your pharmacist or healthcare professional can give you more information.

Who can take Prozac (fluoxetine)?

Prozac is approved for use in adults and children. It can be given to children age 7 and older for obsessive-compulsive disorder and age 8 and older for major depressive disorder.

Is Prozac safe for my child?

Very rarely, children, teenagers, and young adults up to the age of 24 years can become suicidal on antidepressants or mood elevators like fluoxetine. This risk is present in people older than 24 years as well. People who take other antidepressants are more likely to become suicidal than those who do not. However, it is impossible to predict how great this risk is in a particular patient. 

You should be aware of the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors when deciding whether Prozac is right for your child or teenager. If you decide to start treatment with this medication, you should know that the child’s mental health can change unexpectedly. This can occur at any time, particularly at the start of treatment or after dose changes. 

Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as new or worsening depression, thoughts, plans, or behaviors of trying to harm or kill themselves, panic attacks, agitation, aggressive behavior, irritability, restlessness, sleep problems, or mania (abnormal excitement). Also, be sure that family members know which symptoms can be serious so that they can call the doctor if they see these changes in a child on Prozac treatment or if you are unable to seek treatment yourself.

Fluoxetine can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss in children. Your child’s doctor will monitor your child’s growth carefully. Talk to the doctor if you have concerns about appetite or weight while on this medication. 

Speak to your child's doctor for more information about the risks of giving fluoxetine to your child.