Prozac (fluoxetine) is an antidepressant belonging to the
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs. Prozac is
mainly used for the treatment of major depression, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, and panic disorder.
The medication was first introduced to the American market by Eli
Lilly in 1988. Within a few years of being approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), Prozac became one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants in the country.
It works by blocking the absorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin
in the brain. Regulating the amount of serotonin helps brain cells
transmit messages to each other, resulting in a better and more stable
mood.