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Prozac & Pain Relief

Prozac (fluoxetine) is one of the most prescribed drugs in America. Although only officially sanctioned by the Food and Drug Administration to treat psychiatric disorders, Prozac is also prescribed by doctors for off-label uses. Off-label means that the medication is being prescribed for something other than what the FDA approved it for. This includes the chronic pain conditions fibromyalgia and migraines.

  1. Function

    • It is unknown exactly how fluoxetine helps ease chronic pain conditions, especially in fibromyalgia. But the prevailing theory for the cause of migraines is also the prevailing theory for the cause of depression -- the brain's inability to handle the neurotransmitter serotonin. Prozac can help people get regular sleep and stimulate the appetite, which may be all people with chronic pain need.

    Types

    • It is unknown how many chronic pain conditions are treated with Prozac, but "Off-Label Applications of SSRIs" (American Family Physician, August 2003) lists chronic daily headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic lower back pain, chronic neck pain, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetic neuromyalgia (nerve pain due to diabetes) and premature ejaculation.

    Consideration

    • Off-label use for any medication, including Prozac for chronic pain conditions, is legal -- as long as a legal doctor prescribes it. This is because in order to gain FDA approval for each condition, the drug has to undergo several stringent clinical trials for each condition. This approval process can take years or even decades. People suffering from chronic pain conditions are often willing to take the risk if it means getting rid of their pain.

    Time Frame

    • Doctors usually start a patient off with low doses of Prozac and gradually work to higher does, if needed. The goal is to use the lowest dose possible in order to reduce pain but not expose the patient to bad side effects. If bad side effects develop, the dose is either reduced or Prozac is dropped altogether. Depending on the chronic pain being treated, a patient may have to take Prozac for two months before feeling any better.

    Age Limit

    • The makers of Prozac, Eli-Lilly, warn that this drug should not be given to children under the age of eight. This is because Prozac may cause serotonin syndrome. Anyone under 18 taking Prozac for any reason needs to be monitored to be sure they don't develop suicidal tendencies, hallucinations, racing heart, coordination difficulties or suddenly becoming very depressed.

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