Patient/caregiver was educated on the side effects of using Prozac as follows:
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Prozac intake carries the risk of lowering the threshold for seizures, thereby, resulting in seizure activity, especially in individuals with history of the same.
- Prozac intake can also induce a life-threatening reaction called Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Individuals taking Prozac can present with high fever, episodes of confusion, muscle rigidity, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Severe cases can present with muscle breakdown, elevated potassium levels in the blood due to muscle destruction, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias due to the elevated blood potassium, and seizures.
Serotonin syndrome
- Prozac use, especially along with a few other antidepressants, such as, imipramine, citalopram, and sertraline, can significantly increase the serotonin levels in the body and lead to development of serotonin syndrome. Individuals can present with mania, excitement, hallucinations, agitation, insomnia, pounding heartbeat, very rapid heart rate, overactive reflexes, and diarrhea.
