Q: I have been taking Sulphitac 200 mg for the past one year every night and Prodep 20 mg every morning. Please let me know what are the side effects? Also, I would like to know if it causes menstrual cycle disturbance and weight gain? With this medication I have been feeling better for the past 3 months. But I am very concerned about the side effects. Also please let me know for what Prodep is given? Is there any alternative for side effects? I have put on a lot of weight.

A:Prodep is the brand name of a medicine called fluoxetine. It is indicated in major depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Its side effects include GI upset, headache, sleep abnormalities, anxiety, drowsiness, dizziness, galactorrhoea, urinary retention, urinary frequency, sexual dysfunction, alopecia (loss of scalp hair), visual disorders, sweating. Rash or allergic reactions (discontinue), chills, photosensitivity, joint pains, muscle pain. Convulsions, euphoria, transient movement disorders. Abnormal liver function. Worsening of depression, suicidal tendency. Severe agitation-type events including agitation, disinhibition, emotional lability, hostility, aggression & depersonalisation. Nervousness, tremor, asthenia, respiratory symptoms, motor impairment, serum sickness. Erythema multiforme. Rarely, bleeding events, toxic epidermal necrolysis (serious). Platelet dysfunction. At this young age instead of depending on drugs, why not try non-drug methods such as Yoga?