The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a once-weekly formulation of Eli Lilly's Prozac for the treatment of depression.
According to the Indianapolis, Indiana-based drug firm, Prozac Weekly is the first and only prescription drug indicated for weekly administration in patients being treated for long-term depression.
Specifically, the drug is indicated for patients whose depressive symptoms have stabilized and who require continuing treatment to prevent a relapse or return of symptoms.
The once-weekly formulation consists of 90 milligrams of fluoxetine with an enteric coating that delays release of the ingredient into the bloodstream.
Prozac Weekly comes in a package that contains a 4-week supply of the drug. According to the Lilly spokesperson, the net wholesale price for Prozac Weekly is $63, compared with $71.26 for a month's supply of the 20 milligram daily pill.
FDA Bulletin February 27, 2001
Isn't that wonderful. Now we have once a week Prozac. I am not totally opposed to the use of these drugs when all other options are exhausted and the patient is suicidal. I fully believe that they can save people's lives, as depression can be a terminal illness if suicide is successful.
However, the vast majority, probably over 95% of the antidepressant drugs are not needed. Does that mean one should use herbal alternatives like St. John's wort? Absolutely not, as any type of pills are only a band aid solution for the problem.
Diet is clearly an important part of the treatment. However one will nearly always need to address the emotional wounding that occurs if one is to reverse this illness at its foundational root.
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