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Generic Fluoxetine
Generic fluoxetine is available in capsule, tablet, and liquid form. Prozac Weekly (a long-acting version of fluoxetine) is now available in a generic form as well. Generic fluoxetine products, which are manufactured by more than 10 different drug companies, currently come in a variety of strengths.
Generic Fluoxetine: An Overview
Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac®) is a medication that has been licensed to treat a number of conditions, including:
When used in combination with Zyprexa® (olanzapine), fluoxetine is approved for the following uses:
- Depression associated with bipolar disorder
- Treatment-resistant depression (depression that has not responded to treatment with at least two different antidepressants).
Fluoxetine was first manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. However, it has since come off patent and has been available as a generic for quite some time. A generic version of Prozac Weekly (a long-acting formulation) first became available in March 2010.
Sarafem®, a brand-name fluoxetine medication, is licensed to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but Prozac (and generic Prozac) are not approved for this use. Sarafem is available in generic form (see Generic Sarafem for more information).
It can be difficult for the average consumer to know if a particular fluoxetine medication is generic for Prozac or Sarafem, although it can be argued that there are no important differences between the two, anyway.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD