Brand Names of Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine is marketed under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem 1.
Primary Brand Names
Prozac is the original and most widely recognized brand name for fluoxetine, used for treating major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder (in combination with olanzapine) 2, 1.
Sarafem is specifically marketed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder 3, 1.
Additional Brand Name
- Rapiflux is another brand name under which fluoxetine is marketed, though less commonly referenced in clinical literature 4, 5.
Formulation-Specific Brand
- Prozac Weekly is a delayed-release formulation containing 90 mg of fluoxetine hydrochloride in enteric-coated pellets, designed for once-weekly dosing 1.
Clinical Context
Fluoxetine was the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) approved by the FDA in 1987 and "ushered in a new era of prescription pharmacology and increased awareness of mental illness" 2. It remains one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and is the only FDA-approved medication for major depression in children and adolescents aged 8 years or older 2.
The availability of generic fluoxetine has significantly reduced costs—in the Veterans Affairs system, generic fluoxetine became available at only 5% of its previous branded cost 6.