Fluoxetine, the Generic for Prozac®

What Fluoxetine Is and How It Works

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, bulimia nervosa, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Many people begin with Fluoxetine 20 mg once daily. It increases serotonin in the brain, which helps improve mood, reduce anxiety, and ease obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

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Fluoxetine comes as capsules and tablets in strengths such as 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg. Some patients use a Fluoxetine 20 mg capsule, while others may need a Fluoxetine tablets 10mg dose or a Fluoxetine 40 mg capsule based on response and tolerability. The Fluoxetine brand name is Prozac, and many people refer to it as Prozac fluoxetine. The Prozac generic name is fluoxetine hydrochloride (fluoxetine HCl).

Typical dosing is once daily, usually in the morning. The medicine has a long half-life, so a missed dose is less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms than some other SSRIs. Effects build gradually as steady levels are reached.

Dosage and Usage

• Start: many adults begin at 20 mg once daily. Some start at 10 mg to reduce early side effects, then increase to 20 mg after 1 week.
• Titration: if symptoms persist, a clinician may increase by 10–20 mg steps after several weeks. Usual maintenance is 20–40 mg daily. Some conditions may need up to 60 mg daily.
• OCD: often 20–60 mg daily, adjusted based on response.
• Panic disorder: may start at 10 mg daily for a week, then 20 mg daily; higher doses only if needed.
• Bulimia nervosa: often 60 mg daily.
• PMDD: 20 mg daily continuously, or only during the luteal phase each cycle, as directed by the prescriber.
• How to take: swallow capsules or tablets with water; with or without food.
• Missed dose: take when remembered unless it is near the next dose; do not double.
• Do not use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Leave a 14-day gap after stopping an MAOI before starting fluoxetine, and wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before starting an MAOI.

• Store at room temperature 15–30°C (59–86°F) in a dry place.
• Keep in the original, child-resistant container with the label intact.
• Protect from moisture and heat; do not freeze.
• For travel, pack enough doses for the trip and a few extra days.
• Carry in your hand luggage if flying and keep away from direct sunlight.
• Do not use tablets or capsules that are damaged, discolored, or expired.

Benefits and Savings

Fluoxetine helps reduce sadness, low motivation, and anxiety in major depressive disorder. It can lessen obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions in OCD. It may decrease panic attacks in panic disorder, reduce binge-purge behavior in bulimia, and improve mood and irritability in PMDD. Once-daily dosing and a long half-life add convenience.

Ordering fluoxetine medication from a licensed Canadian pharmacy can lower your monthly spend. Many customers save 60–80% compared with typical US prices. Generic fluoxetine offers the same active ingredient as Prozac at a lower cost. Multi-month supplies and bulk promotions may further reduce the per-month Fluoxetine cost, and optional reorder reminders can help you stay on track.

If you compare the Prozac price with the generic, most patients choose the generic for value. Strength options include Fluoxetine 20 mg capsule and tablet forms, plus other strengths for personalized treatment. Discuss dose adjustments with your prescriber as your symptoms change.

Side Effects and Safety

• Nausea, upset stomach, or diarrhea
• Headache or dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping or daytime sleepiness
• Increased sweating
• Nervousness or restlessness early in treatment
• Tremor
• Decreased appetite or weight change
• Sexual side effects (lower libido, delayed orgasm)
• Rash or mild skin reactions

Serious but less common risks include serotonin syndrome (especially with other serotonergic drugs), severe allergic reactions, seizures, angle-closure glaucoma, liver problems, and low sodium (SIADH). Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts in young people, especially early in treatment. Fluoxetine can interact with medicines that prolong QT, and it should not be combined with thioridazine or pimozide. Bleeding risk may rise with NSAIDs, aspirin, or anticoagulants. If also using insulin or sulfonylureas, monitor for possible changes in blood sugar, including hypoglycemia.

Onset Time

Some people notice improved sleep, energy, or appetite within 1–2 weeks, but mood and anxiety changes often take 2–6 weeks. OCD symptoms may require 6–10 weeks for clear benefit. For bulimia, reductions in binge-purge episodes may appear within 1–3 weeks. PMDD symptoms may improve during the first treated cycle. Full effect can take several months, with gradual titration to the right dose.

Compare With Alternatives

Escitalopram is another SSRI used for depression and anxiety disorders. It is generally well tolerated and taken once daily. You can explore dosing and options on our product page for Escitalopram.

Some patients respond better to citalopram, sertraline, or venlafaxine (an SNRI). Choice often depends on symptom profile, side effects, and past response. If a patient has not responded to several SSRIs, other classes may be considered.

For treatment-resistant cases, a prescriber may consider an older MAOI such as Cipralex® Lexapro is actually another SSRI option as well; consultation guides selection between these and fluoxetine.

Combination Therapy

• Psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) is often combined with fluoxetine for better outcomes.
• Short-term benzodiazepines may be used at the start for panic or severe anxiety.
• For resistant depression, prescribers may add bupropion or certain atypical antipsychotics.
• For bipolar depression, mood stabilizers are essential to reduce mania risk.
• Avoid multiple serotonergic drugs when possible to lower serotonin syndrome risk.
• If combined with other agents affecting platelets, consider steps to reduce bleeding risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Fluoxetine may be a good option for adults with depression, OCD, panic disorder, bulimia, or PMDD. It may not suit patients with a history of mania or bipolar disorder without a mood stabilizer. Those with uncontrolled seizures, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, or a known allergy to fluoxetine should avoid it.

Do not combine fluoxetine with MAOIs, thioridazine, or pimozide. Use caution with other serotonergic drugs (triptans, tramadol, linezolid, St. John’s wort). Extra monitoring may be needed for people at bleeding risk or those on anticoagulants. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, the prescriber will weigh benefits and risks. Adolescents and young adults should be monitored for mood changes and suicidality when starting or changing dose.

To manage the Fluoxetine price, choose the generic over the brand when appropriate. Ordering a longer supply can reduce shipping frequency and may lower the average monthly cost. You can set a simple reminder to reorder before you run out. We carry Fluoxetine capsules and tablets in common strengths, including Fluoxetine 20mg and Fluoxetine hcl 20 mg capsule options. Prozac 20 mg and Prozac 40 mg equivalents are available as generic fluoxetine where permitted.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prozac (fluoxetine) Prescribing Information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Fluoxetine Listings

FDA Medication Guides for Antidepressants

Order Fluoxetine from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This material is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional.