2013+PERIOD+8+PROZAC

Introduction  Prozac, otherwise known as fluoxetine, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for   oral administration. It is used to treat depression and other emotional problems. It was first released in 1987, and it became the most popular antidepressant in the United States and one of the most talked-about drugs in the world. At the time, it was a cultural phenomenon, and the subject of an intense media fascination which led to a frenzy of interest in the pharmaceutical industry to develop chemicals like it. Since its production, the ethics of using Prozac and other anti-depressants to change our feelings were widely controversial and debated.

**In relativity to the Brave New World:**  In Brave New World, the people take a pill called Soma, which allows them to forget about their problems and frustrations. Soma is an anti depressant pill and is used to give people a positive outlook on life to avoid problems and confrontations with other people and/or government officials. The government promotes the use of these pills in order t avoid conflict with their citizens. How they work: Prozac increases the supply of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that effects mood, pain, sleep,  and a variety other body/brain processes. They do that by blocking removal of serotonin from the receptors in the brain. By stopping these receptors from removing the serotonin, Prozac and drugs like it permit more of the transmitter to be available at the synapse, the gap between nerve cells. For reasons no one fully understands, this simple biochemical change often results in improved mood.

Pros:
 * Prozac and other antidepressants are proven to improve mood and reduce depression for most people.
 * Prozac and other antidepressants have been tried with varying degrees of success against other problems, such as OCD, panic, eating disorders, Tourette's syndrome, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia.
 * It is not very expensive.

 Cons: []
 * There are many side effects that come from using Prozac and other antidepressant drugs. This is a link for all of the common and severe side effects.
 * Women who take Prozac while they are pregnant are susceptible to complications during childbirth and to the unborn child.
 * Prozac can cause increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior.
 * This drug doesn't necessarily help everyone when dealing with depression
 * Taking prozac can lead to sexual side effects and weight gain

Web Pages: [] This web page tells the information of the effects that antidepressants like Prozac has on children and adolescents and important information for caregivers and parents in order to keep their child healthy. [] The possible advantages and risks of taking antidepressants during pregnancy are explained in this webpage.

[] The myths and facts that are commonly mistaken about antidepressants are explained here.

[] The moral values and ethics of using these SSRI's have been called into question.

News Articles: [|http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SNJ0252-0-2600&artno=0000340743&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=Prozac&title=Post-Prozac%20Nation&res=Y&ren=N&gov=N&lnk=N&ic=N__] This article explains how drugs like Prozac have become overhyped, over prescribed chemicals, and how the theory on how these drugs work have been called into question

[] This article is about the possible effects Prozac has had on suicide, birth defects, and libido and how we still don't know how it even works.

[] This article is about the effects of prozac on fish. Fish with a trace of prozac in their bloodstreams became aggressive and some even killed their fish mates, opposed to the typical cheery reaction that humans get when taking the drug. Prozac experts predict the fish's reaction to prozac to become the long term reaction to the drug for people. If this is the case, then more research needs to be done about antidepressants like prozac because the more dependent people become, the worse their moods will be.

[] This author explains why he believes the theory of serotonin and depression are true and how antidepressants promote the birth of new brain cells.

Blog Posts: [] This blog explains a doctor's personal view on how Prozac has negatively impacted people over the course of time since it was first released and his opinion on how it could be fixed. [] This mother explains her story on how Prozac and its negative effects caused her health to deteriorate and shows the constant harm that it had on her.

[] A professor explains his five reasons on why Prozac should not be taken.

Videos: media type="custom" key="24578018" This video explains in detail the way Prozac works and how it helps against depression.

media type="custom" key="24592070" This video tells the various serious side effects of antidepressant drugs like Prozac and alternate ways of dealing with depression.

media type="custom" key="24637548" A former chemist explains the dangers of psychiatric medicine and the inner workings of the psychiatric drug industry.

Podcasts and Radio Programs: media type="custom" key="24578026"

This Podcast criticizes the theory of Serotonin causing depression and tells how itis more complex than a simple chemical imbalance.

media type="file" key="049_Fluoxetine.mp3" width="240" height="20" This podcasts explains what Prozac is, the different dosages it comes in, and other information detailing it.

RSS Feed: rss url="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/prozac_drug/index.html" link="true" number="10" date="true" author="true" A reliable source of articles from the New York Times about the present and updating news on Prozac.

References:

Parker, Jim. "Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Other Antidepressants: Pros & Cons." //Do It Now//. Do It Now Foundation, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. .

"Drugs & Medications - Prozac Oral." //Web MD//. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. .