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Prozac

Prozac is chemically known as fluoxetine, which is an antidepressant manufactured by Eli Lilly. First approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1987, Prozac is used for treating people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, and depression, which can be a manifestation from anxiety, stress, and mental illness such as Bipolar. You will also find this drug sold under the brand name of Sarafem. Interestingly, Prozac falls with the category of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which also include Paxil and Zoloft.

Studies show Prozac to be very beneficial in treating depression. In some cases, Prozac is the preferred drug since it has shown to cause fewer adverse events relating to the heart (decrease in blood pressure and unusual rhythm), as well as fewer anticholinergic effects (blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth). In addition, fewer people experience problems with change in weight (usually loss instead of gain) or drowsiness, which is often seen in the older tricyclic antidepressants.

With this drug, there are just a few, slight side effects such as nervousness, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, and rash. It is important to wait a minimum of two weeks to take Prozac after taking MAOIs, which would include drugs such as Parnate and Nardil. In addition, once Prozac has been discontinued, MAOIs should not be administered for a minimum of five weeks. These risks are minimal and with a small dose of 20mg daily for depression, most people experience improved stability. Even if the dose needs to be increased to improve effectiveness, the patient should never take more than 80mg a day.

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This Week's Bipolar News

Overeating and substance abuse are similar disorders
Los Angeles Times
People with bipolar disorder have higher-than-average rates of obesity and substance abuse. But McIntyre found that the obesity rate in bipolar patients was ...

Club stoush bowls out member
The Advertiser
A MAN suffering from bipolar disorder and depression has been barred from membership at a Sydney bowling club after a clash over club bylaws.

Mom abandons 18-year-old under Nebraska safe-haven law
Richmond Times-Dispatch
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Police say a woman has abandoned her 18-year-old daughter at a hospital, saying she can't control the girl, in what may be the latest use of Nebraska's unique safe-haven law. The woman told officials at BryanLGH Medical Center West that her daughter, who was adopted, is bipolar and has a learning disability, Assistant Police Chief Jim Peschong said today.

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Featured Article:

Romancing Your Spouse

"Romancing your spouse?" Ok, I can already hear you yelling at me! I know, it's a strange concept, but hear me out. Some of the longest-running marriages have lasted because of this very concept.

You may be thinking that this has nothing to do with Bipolar Disorder, but it does. Even the best of marriages has some strain on it - the pressures of day-to-day living, at the very least. However, Bipolar Disorder puts additional pressure on your marriage because of the issues you have to face in dealing with the disorder, whether you are the survivor or the supporter.

No matter how long you've been married, the suggestions in this article can put some "spark" into your marriage. And if you've only been married a short time, putting these suggestions into place now can help ensure a long, happy, healthy marriage (of course, you will still have to do some hard work yourself to make that happen as well!).

Click here to read the entire aritcle

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