PROZAC+2010

= = =Prozac =

=Introduction = In the novel, // Brave New World //, by Aldous Huxley, the characters often enjoy a drug called ‘Soma’ which relieves discomfort from various situations like: sex, relaxation, concentration, and confidence. In the year 2010, there are many people who take anti-depressants such as Prozac to lessen uneasiness. Unfortunately though, there are side affects that come along with Prozac and other antidepressants. Do the pros and cons even out? Are there other alternatives?

// "There's always soma to calm your anger, to reconcile you to your enemies, to make you patient and long-suffering. In the past you could only accomplish these things by making a great effort and after years of hard moral training. Now, you swallow two or three half-gramme tablets, and there you are. Anybody can be virtuous now. You can carry at least half your morality about in a bottle. Christianity without tears-that's what soma is." - Aldous Huxley, //// Brave New World, Ch. 17 // = =

**What is Prozac?** ** What? ** It is a prescription, antidepressant drug that is approved for the treatment of: major depression, obsessive- compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This drug increases the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which makes people feel happy. Its chemical name is Fluoxetine Hydrochloride. ** Who? ** It was co-invented by Ray Fuller and the Eli Lilly Company.
 * When? ** It was invented in the early 1970’s but it was not marketed until 1986.
 * Where? ** It was first introduced in Belgium but is now approved and marketed in over 90 countries.

=[|Prozac Main Site] =  This website has almost all you would need to know about Prozac if you were thinking about trying it. =[|Prozac Research Paper] =  This is a research paper written by a college student that clearly sums up the main facts about Proza c. = = = = = =

=Pros = [|Benefits of Prozac] This article explains how the use of Prozac can benefit people with depression.

[|Continue Using Prozac] This article touches on the benefits while stating in order for the patient to feel the benefits, use must continue over a period of time.

[|SSRIs] Included in this site is an explanation of the process of SSRIs such as Prozac and how its uses benefits the users.

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=Cons = == [|Prozac and Personality Changes]  This article discussion the personality changes that have affected patients taking Prozac.

[|Common Minor Side Effects]  This article discusses the more minor common side effects of Prozac as well as the odds of them developing in patients.

[|Serious Side Effects] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> This article gives an overview of the cons of Prozac, highlighting the serious side effects that may occur in the first 12 weeks of taking the drug.

[|Prozac and Suicide] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> This article emphasizes the suicides and suicide attempts that have been linked to Prozac.

<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 27px; text-align: left;">**Other Antidepressants** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">1) Sertraline (Zoloft) 2) Escitalopram (Lexapro) 3) Buproprion (Wellbutrin) 4) Citalopram (Celexa) 5) Fluoxetine (Prozac) 6) Milnacipran (Savella) 7) Mirtazapine (Remeron) 8) Venlafaxine (Effexor) 9) Paroxetine (Paxil) 10) Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 11) Fluvoxamine (Luvox) <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 19px;">12) Reboxetine (Vestra)

T<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">his article talks about the most prescribed antidepressants and how doctors decide which one to give.
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-decoration: none;"> [|Antidepressants: The Most Prescribed Drug in America] This article reviews the most popular antidepressants, which ones are for what symptoms and when doctors decide to give them.

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=<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">Blogs = [|Which Antidepressants are Most Effective] A blog about the most effective antidepressants and which brands are the best to start with. Many of the comments argue the usefulness of antidepressants and when they should be used.

[|Antidepressant Side Affects] A blog with an article about antidepressant side effects with comments about side effects that people have experienced on many different antidepressants.

=<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">RSS Feed =

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=<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">Scholarly Articles = =<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;"> =

[|EBSCO: Link Between Antidepressants and Suicide] Summarizes the emotional and physical effects of antidepressants and tells the story of a veteran who may have been compelled to commit suicide because he was taking Prozac.

[|Newsbank: Two pilots crash; Caused by Antidepressants?] Two pilots crashed and the toxicology reports show that both were taking antidepressant medications and doctors believe that could be the reason for the crash.

[|EBSCO: Mix of Antidepressants Cause Death] A young girl took a mix of three antidepressants, Zoloft, Lexapro and Effexor and committed suicide. Effexor claims not to be at fault and says she should have never been given the drug to begin with. All three antidepressants come with clear warnings.

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 40px;"> **Therapy **

[|Depression Tips Slideshow] This has nineteen tips to help with depression, for example less caffeine.

[|Antidepressant Withdrawal] This link discusses how to withdrawal from antidepressants and the symptoms that one may feel. It also distinguishes the difference between addiction withdrawal and Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[|Mayo Clinic: Antidepressant Withdrawal] Gives tips on how to lessen withdrawal from antidepressants and expected symptoms. [|Alternatives to Antidepressants] This gives ten alternatives to anti-depressants such as exercise, finding a hobby and massage.

=<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">Podcasts and Radio Programs = =media type="custom" key="5519749" align="right"= media type="custom" key="5585557" align="left"

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[|Podcast: A Guide to Antidepressants] A podcast that acts a guide to anti-depressants. Includes the script of the podcast and talks about the be = = nefits, the serious side affects and different types of anti-depressants.

=<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;"> = =<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">**News Articles** = = = = = = = = = = = = = [|CNN: Shooter linked to Prozac] = = An article about the shooter of the Northern Illinois University school shooting, Steve <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Kazmierczak was taking at = = <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">least three different anti-depressants and it has been debated that anti-depressants can cause violence. = =

[|New York Times: Subway Bomber on Prozac] A New York Times article about the subway bomber, Edward J. Leary, who used Prozac and his use of antidepressants as a defense for the bombing of two Manhattan trains.

[|USA Today: Prozac and Children] An article that discusses the affects Prozac has on children and the increase risk of suicide. = =

=<span style="color: #008080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">Discussion Questions =

<span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">1) Do you believe that there will ever be an antidepressant without negative side effects? Or, will we just not be aware of the negative side effects at the time?

2) Why do you think America uses more prozac and other anti-depressants than any other nation?

3) Do you think antidepressants are over-prescribed? Do you think America is too dependent on anti-depressants?

4) Do you believe that Prozac and other antidepressants have a place in our society? Do you think they are/should be accepted?