My View on Prozac/Lexapro and Other Prescription Drugs

Prozac was introduced in 1986 by the Lilly drug company. This drug was manufactured to help people with depression, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bulimia. Different doctors may prescribe this medication for other reasons as determined by him or her. "Prozac is the most widely prescribed antidepressant in history."

(www.prozac.com). This comes as no surprise to me. This drug has been around for almost as long as I have been alive; and when I think of all the people I know who use Prozac, it almost seems like doctors are hesitant to prescribe anything else. Off the top of my head, I can think of a very large number of people who have taken Prozac, or who are currently using it. In fact, I can think of 4 people in my immediate family who are currently taking Prozac. Is it really that much better than everything else? What has made it stand the test of time? Then again, if Prozac is so amazing, why have an infinite number of newer antidepressants come out over the years?

I'm sure we have all seen the commercials for Prozac, not to mention countless other drugs. It seems to me that almost every drug/medication out there has the same possible side effects; nausea, headache, sore throat, dizziness, and so on. In the real world, though, how many people actually end up suffering from these side effects? Even if a study was done to prove that only 1% of people taking a certain drug for a specific amount of time would develop heart problems, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is safe. What makes me so invincible that i couldn't be part of the 1% world population who would end up with a stroke from using prescription drugs? Also, how many people actually participate in drug studies, and for how long? Ive heard that 96% of all drugs approved by the FDA are only studied short term. It is fact that many drugs take years or even decades to pose potential problems for the user.

On the other hand, how many people do not experience any side effects at all when using depression medication? How many people feel that Prozac was a life saver for them? I feel that statistics are oftentimes misleading, and in some cases, wont hold any bearing on the user at all. One thing I know for sure is that Prozac works differently than many antidepressants. In my experience, there has been many benefits. I could look up that statistics to answer all the questions I have posed so far, but I wont. Instead, I feel there is a different point to my position.

I started using medicine for anxiety disorder about 5 months ago. The first drug prescribed to me was Lexapro. I'm sure that this drug has worked wonders for countless sufferers of this disorder. I wish I could have been one of them. I literally couldn't stomach the drug for more than 2 weeks, and it was, in a word "ruining" my life. I was literally CONSTANTLY yawning, almost as a compulsion. Also I was so sick, that I was unable to leave the house for any period of time. So my doctor then switched me to Prozac. As soon as i stopped taking the Lexapro, I felt worlds better (physically). At first, I thought that Prozac was a miracle drug. Not only was it helping me with anxiety and depression, but it was actually something a person with little income can afford. From all of the pharmacies that i have contacted, all of them carry a generic brand (Fluoxitine) that is worlds cheaper than many other antidepressants. At the time, I would have recommended Prozac to anyone.

It seems that after a few months on Prozac, I am having terrible insomnia. A family member has also complained of this, although, another family member swears they have never experienced any such side effects. After a while, a person will start to question if the drugs are affecting them, or if it is just a coincidence. I have done a decent amount of research on many antidepressants, and have heard many opinions. (One of my friends swears that Prozac is super dangerous). I can only come to one conclusion... No one will know how they react to a medication until they try it themselves. Also, for as much research has been done to prove/disprove the safety of Prozac use long term, no one will know if they will have positive or negative results now or in the future. (Remember when everyone thought sugarless gum caused cancer?) If something gives a person a better quality of life, then I do think it's worth it. Everyone will have different opinions, but as for me, I think I'll take my chances being tired. It is, after all, much better than the alternative.