Skip to main content

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder User Reviews

Brand names: Prozac

Fluoxetine has an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 from a total of 138 reviews for the treatment of Panic Disorder. 68% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 22% reported a negative experience.

Fluoxetine rating summary

7.3 average rating out of 10

138 ratings from 149 user reviews.

Compare all 31 medications used in the treatment of Panic Disorder.

10
38%
9
17%
8
12%
7
4%
6
1%
5
3%
4
2%
3
4%
2
4%
1
15%

Reviews for Fluoxetine

  • DGano
  • October 10, 2020

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I have now been on Prozac for 7 months now, and I can honestly say this medication has helped me so much! I used to have irrational thoughts and fears of getting sick and would not want to leave my house. I always told myself I don’t need medication, I can handle it myself. My advice: do not fear Prozac! It caused a few side effects in the first 2 weeks, but over time, it became better. It gave me my thoughts back, and I can do things without fear now. I started on 20mg and went up to 30mg after a month. My only regret was being scared and waiting over a year to finally do something to help myself. Do not be scared of the reviews. I have been where you were, and it WILL get better."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
213 Report
  • KitkT
  • August 7, 2014

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Have been on Prozac since it came out many years ago. I had severe panic disorder with anxiety attacks. I was also agoraphobic. Since being on Prozac, I was able to return to work, go to college. Now that I am retired, I am able to travel to different states."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
281 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 24, 2019

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I have always suffered with generalized anxiety until recently due to stress from nursing school, it spiraled into full-on panic attacks that became daily and debilitating. I started taking Prozac, which completely changed my life. I had very mild side effects, lucky for me, I didn't get the side effects that many have stated on this forum, just some mild insomnia, but it completely eradicated my panic attacks and brought a whole new outlook on my life. I'm not afraid to step out of my house anymore and could truly enjoy life. This drug was truly helpful, I can breathe again! It took about 2-3 weeks for the effects to kick in, and again, don't be afraid of the side effects in the beginning, they will go away! Good luck to anyone suffering from panic disorder, I feel your pain. There are solutions, and you will get better! Godspeed."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
162 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Bill
  • March 18, 2020

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Mother had severe panic attacks for 6 months. Absolutely awful and no help or solution from GP... best he could offer was to blow into a paper bag. Tell that to someone who thinks they are dying. Demanded to see a Consultant who prescribed Prozac. Incredible change!! Problem resolved in 10 days. No more panic attacks."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
133 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 22, 2020

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Do not give up! This drug does work but it takes time. I am going on week 4 of 20 mg, and I am finally starting to feel better and more like myself. The first week was REALLY hard. For 2 days, I had massive anxiety, worse than ever before, to the point where I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I almost stopped this medication, but I pushed through because that’s what everyone said. After those few days, it got better. I don’t have a lot of 'what if' thoughts anymore, and I am starting to feel myself. I know this is different for everyone, but my advice is to try to push through the first 2 weeks if you can!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
121 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Ak72
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 18, 2016

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I started taking this magic pill about 4 months ago. I've had general anxiety disorder and depression for at least 20 years. My biggest anxiety is with taking medication. Finally, at 44, it hit me like a brick and I stopped driving and couldn't work due to crippling anxiety and irrational fears. I sought help and got the courage to start on 10 mg Prozac about 4.5 months ago, increased to 20 mg after 3 weeks. I have to say this medication truly saved my life and sanity! I feel normal again and anxiety is gone! I recommend it to anyone who has doubts about it, it truly works :)"

Was this helpful?YesNo
185 Report
  • Alex...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 20, 2014

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I started experiencing panic attacks a few months ago, so bad that I thought I was dying each time I had one. My college NP prescribed me Prozac. The first month of taking it was hell. My anxiety definitely increased, and I had more frequent panic attacks. My doctor said this was normal and to stick with it, and I did! Let me tell you, it has changed my life. I am able to function normally now, and even though I experience some anxiety, I am able to manage it. Prozac has just made me a genuinely happier person, and I recommend it to anyone with anxiety, especially with panic attacks and depression."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
203 Report

More FAQ

  • Justp...
  • October 14, 2015

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I have currently been on Prozac for the past 4 months, and it has been a miracle drug. I was having severe anxiety and panic attacks every day. I couldn't drive a car by myself for fear of having a panic attack and losing control. I couldn't go anywhere by myself, and I could not stay home alone. I am a 22-year-old female, and once I turned 21, I developed debilitating anxiety. I tried Zoloft and Lexapro, and both drugs made my anxiety and panic attacks skyrocket. Before starting Prozac, I was a mess. My anxiety prevented me from functioning. I could barely even go to class or work without having a panic attack. I am currently taking 30mg of Prozac, and I am doing so much better. It is amazing!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
166 Report
  • Lemons
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 16, 2019

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I am on my 6th week on Prozac, and I can't believe how much this medication has helped my panic disorder. I went from having up to five or six panic attacks a day to having only one very minor one this week. I have also experienced probably 90% less derealization and disassociation episodes in the last three weeks. My hypochondria is 100% VANISHED!!! I was so scared of the side effects that I obsessively read reviews on this site and many others, but I had none except a minor loss of appetite the first week. I noticed a change in energy by the end of my first week. It's not that I have euphoria or experience no moments of anxiety, but they pass faster. I don't immediately catastrophize, and I am beginning to believe that even if bad things happen to me, I am strong enough to get through them. I used to cry multiple times every day, and I haven't cried once this week. I really hope it continues to work for me!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
95 Report
  • jacks...
  • January 16, 2009

Prozac (fluoxetine) "It's a miracle drug. I took this for anxiety and panic attacks and slight depression. It has changed my life. I am happier. I have made more friends in the past month. It has helped with everything: school, stress, anxiety, and self-confidence. I can't recommend it enough."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
202 Report
  • laure...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 9, 2012

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Prozac absolutely changed my life. Not only did it get rid of my daily anxiety and is slowly but surely getting rid of my social anxiety, but it also made me generally a happier person. By far the best anxiety medicine I've tried."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
155 Report
  • chand...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 31, 2013

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I've been taking Prozac 20mg for 3 weeks now. It has changed my life. I take other meds (Xanax 1mg, Depakote 1000mg, Norco 10/325mg, Nexium 40mg) for other problems. Well, I take the Xanax 4 times a day as needed to help with my anxiety and panic disorder. My panic attacks were so bad I was hospitalized for a week. I couldn't function. I suffered unknown seizures because of panic disorder. Now, I can go about my life. The only problem I have with Prozac is that it makes me go to the bathroom very often. The first few days it made me sleepy but that went away. I'm 16. It also helps depression too, it's helped mine a lot. I would recommend this to anyone who suffers from severe anxiety like me."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
137 Report
  • Guest
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 20, 2018

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I thought I was trapped that way forever. I tried EVERYTHING. 20mg and the book DARE saved my life. It took 6 weeks and got worse before it got better. Please know that you will recover and you aren’t alone."

Was this helpful?YesNo
84 Report
  • Ivyrose
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 12, 2019

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I started 20mg daily. The only side effect I experienced was delayed orgasm, and this was within the first week. This medication takes time to begin working. People who concentrate on their physical symptoms too much often throw in the towel before this medication has had time to start working. Don't do that. Give it time. Prozac makes me feel normal again. I don't feel like I'm going to panic over everything I feel in my body anymore. I'm sleeping much better, and my crazy mood swings have disappeared."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
71 Report
  • Jen
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 24, 2016

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I have suffered from severe depression and anxiety for 9 years and have tried every medication under the sun and nothing has worked until now! I feel normal, not drugged, and the best part is no anxiety or depression. I take 10 mg of this with 1 milligram of Risperdal daily for bipolar disorder, and I get so much accomplished, it's ridiculous! I'm okay with being alone, I don't feel like I need a man or a miracle anymore, and my expectations are more realistic. I look forward to coming home, which is something I used to dread as I have 3 young children, 1 with autism. Prozac makes my job as a single mother so much easier!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
105 Report
  • EatCa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 19, 2024

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I was started on generic Prozac or fluoxetine 2 weeks ago at 20 mg for panic disorder, generalized anxiety, and depression. It’s still early in my treatment, but I am more energetic, experiencing fewer panic and anxiety attacks, and also feel less stressed and less worried about the future. The only major side effects I have are nausea and diarrhea, and sleeping less than normal since starting, but apparently these side effects resolve over time. This is a good med with fewer side effects than other antidepressants I took in the past."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 22, 2016

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Re Prozac: I started this medication May 1, 2016 for Anxiety and Panic Disorder. I started at Prozac 20 mg and felt good but it suddenly stopped working after 10 days. 10 days later, I bumped it up to 40 mg. At the onset of taking 20 mg and 40 mg, my anxiety was 5-fold, unable to sleep well, constant nausea, & lost my appetite. I did use a benzo at times to reduce the anxiety which was high. It is now June 10, 2016, I got my appetite back and sleep pattern was back to normal. Prozac has made a big change in my life. I feel less anxiety and less panicky. Prozac is working pretty well thus far and haven't had to use a benzo in over 14 days. You must give Prozac at least 6 or 8 weeks and you'll know by that time if it is for you or not."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
89 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 6, 2010

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder and Major Depression, which was a total panic in itself. My doctor and therapist both agreed that I should take an antidepressant. I was so scared of the medicine because of the panic disorder that I tried other remedies first. I did EMDR cognitive thinking as well as many others. After a few months of therapy, and depression getting worse, I decided to give it a try. It has saved my life. If you are scared, it is worth it. The side effects for me lasted about 2 days and were very minimal, really just dry mouth and tired, that was about it. I have only been taking this medication for 3 weeks and feel awesome. I have some anxiety, but I am able to control it the way any other human should and can. I recommend it."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
126 Report
  • Zen
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 28, 2022

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Absolutely a zero for me. I wish I could give it a negative rating. This drug is an absolute poison. I had it for 6 weeks and I had all the worse side effects possible. It gave me panic attacks, It made me get OCD, rumination, confusion, I was literally questioning everything that I was doing. Something as simple as choosing a dress to wear was confusing to me. Concentration difficulties and Sexual Dysfunction. It is a horrible drug. I have lost my faith on psychiatrists, I was dealing with my own problems much better before trying out this drug. My opinion is: Never take any psychiatric pills unless you are completely unable to function or get out of bed. Mild to moderate problems should be dealt by you."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
29 Report
  • David...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 15, 2015

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Most of my life I have struggled with severe panic attacks, general anxiety, PTSD & moderate depression. Been on meds twice before until I felt better & then I would stop taking them. This last time it had been close to a year that I had been suffering again before I decided to reluctantly go back on meds. I tried Celexa again - it worked kinda okay in the past but this time it made no improvement for me. Saw the doc who switched me to Prozac - all I can say is WOW! Best yet - I feel like my old, happy self after only 1 month! 10mg the first week, 15 the second and 20mg the last two. Give it time to work & be patient - it might make you feel a bit off & not better at first, but it is a miracle drug. These bad feelings will pass hang in there!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
91 Report
  • OnceS...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 7, 2014

Prozac (fluoxetine) "Fluoxetine is pretty gentle compared to most other antidepressant medicines. I had a good response from Zoloft almost 20 years ago, and when I had breakthrough depression, I was switched to Effexor. Effexor worked but was prohibitively expensive. Then I was finally started on Prozac (fluoxetine). I had zero side effects during the first week, which was vastly different from my experience with the other two, and at 40mg/day fluoxetine seems just as efficacious. Fluoxetine has worked well for my panic, depression, and general anxiety. One must give it time to work. For people that are really struggling, six weeks can seem a lifetime, but for many, that is how long it takes for fluoxetine to 'work'."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
93 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 30, 2009

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I just started using Prozac a couple of weeks ago and it has been life-changing. I am a combat veteran who suffers from severe anxiety and sleeping problems, and this drug has completely abated those symptoms. My mood is much better, I can concentrate for longer periods of time, and I don't have the social anxiety that was plaguing me since I left the Marine Corps. All in all, this is a great drug that has helped me move on from my anxiety. I take 20 mg per day (minimum dose) and that is working fine."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
122 Report
  • Dee_l...
  • July 10, 2015

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I'm on day 25 taking this medication. I am taking the generic Prozac for anxiety and severe panic attacks. I started on 20mg. The side effects were horrible. I couldn't stop shaking, my heart was racing, I couldn't eat, sleep, it made my anxiety worse. I went to my doctor by the 10th day and he prescribed me klonopin. I only took klonopin once, it did help but I just didn't like the feeling. I wanted to stop taking fluoxetine because it made me feel worse but I kept taking it. By the third week I was able to eat again. It is now day 25 and I am starting to feel like myself again. My anxiety and panic attacks went from a 10 to a 3. I am planning on upping my dosage by day 30. I highly suggest trying out this medication. Don't be scared."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
83 Report
  • jarg
  • August 31, 2008

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I took Prozac for 15 years, and it was definitely a wonderful drug for my disorder. I was agoraphobic for 22 years before my doctor discovered Prozac helped with panic attacks. I started it, and in a week, I was walking out of my house and greeting my neighbors! I started working and doing things I never dreamed I could do. Then in 2005, my insurance changed to another pharmaceutical plan, and you could take generics or pay full price for the brand name. Unfortunately, the generic did not have the same effect as the brand. Prozac's price has risen to $403.65 for 3 months, and unfortunately, I cannot afford this."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
116 Report
  • boscns
  • May 30, 2016

Prozac (fluoxetine) "I've been on this medication for a year. I haven't ended up in the hospital since for panic disorder and depression. It makes my mood stable and gives me energy and motivation to live life. I'm in my mid-20s and am lucky for how much this drug has helped me. My anxiety and panic disorder can be frightening, plus the depression aspects can make for a scared and crying disaster. The negatives I've had with this were when I first started, I could not eat. But that side effect did go away after a few weeks. The other side effect is not being able to fall asleep without some sort of drug to slow my brain down. I've been on a combination of mood drugs. I plan to stay on Prozac."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
68 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.