Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochlorine) for Alzheimer's

Overview
Prozac is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression. Prozac is also known by its drug name, Fluoxetine hydrochloride. Prozac is sometimes prescribed to treat low mood and irritability in people with Alzheimer’s disease when non-drug approaches have failed to address these symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved Prozac specifically for this usage, it is considered “off-label.”

Prozac is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Prozac is believed to work by changing the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

How do I take it?
Prozac is generally taken orally one or more times a day.

Prozac comes in capsule form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Prozac lists common side effects including nausea, skin rash, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, and sweating.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Prozac include serotonin syndrome, which may be life-threatening.