Prozac

American  

[proh-zak] / ˈproʊ zæk /

Pharmacology, Trademark.

1. a brand of fluoxetine hydrochloride.

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Prozac British  

/ ˈprəʊzæk /

noun

1. fluoxetine; a drug that prolongs the action of serotonin in the brain; used as an antidepressant

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Prozac® Cultural  

1. This widely used antidepressant drug works by modifying the behavior of neurotransmitters in the brain. It is the first of a series of psychoactive drugs that work in this way.

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The high degree of effectiveness of Prozac in treating depression has spurred debate over whether such drugs should be used for milder problems, such as shyness, or even used simply to improve an otherwise normal mood.

References to Prozac are sometimes mildly derogatory, indicating a psychological state in which true feelings have been replaced by a drug-induced tranquility.

Etymology

Origin of Prozac

First recorded in 1988

Compare meaning

How does prozac compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Zoloft vs. Prozac

Example Sentences

Without insurance, Prozac costs around $330 a month in the U.S.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 27, 2025

Common SSRIs include Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft, and they’re the most widely prescribed form of antidepressant in the U.S.

From Slate • Jul. 25, 2025

It took another 20 years for one to be brought to the U.S. market: the first SSRI, Prozac.

From Salon • May 23, 2025

There’s a joke about Prozac, but also one about Sara Lee, the go-to frozen cheesecake brand of my 1970s childhood.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2024

Everything in Dr. Barney’s office was branded—the Post-it notes said Paxil on them; his pens were all for Prozac; the desk calendar had Zoloft on each page.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini