Dr. Bharat MBBS , General Physician

Persona is the brand name for fluoxetine. It belongs to a class of drug known as an antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). It is available in the form of tablet, capsule, syrup, and suspension. Persona is used for the management of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (recurring disturbing thoughts with a compulsion to repeat some act), panic disorder (sudden bouts of extreme fear), and premenstrual dysphoric syndrome (irritability, mood swings, bloating and breast tenderness before a menstrual cycle. It is also used to treat depression in people who do not respond to other antidepressant medications such as olanzapine. In addition, it is used to treat depression in people who also show symptoms of bipolar disorder (a manic-depressive disorder in which there are bouts of depression, mania, and abnormal mood) with olanzapine.

Dr. Ramraj Meena MBBS , General Physician

Persona is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin which increases the concentration of serotonin in the central nervous system (CNS) that helps maintain mental balance. This results in many functional changes and alleviation of depression.

Dr. Braj Bhushan Ojha BAMS , Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Ayurveda, Sexology, Diabetology

No, it is not recommended that Persona should be taken at night as it disturbs sleep in the early phase of the treatment. Thus, it is mostly recommended to take it in the morning or noon. 

Dr. Ajay Kumar. MBBS, MD , Psychiatry, General Physician, Infectious Disease, Sexology, Internal Medicine, Venereology, Diabetology

Yes, Persona may cause distorted or negative thinking. One may develop feelings of self-harm. However, one can conquer such thought processes easily by concentrating on positive things in life, taking one day at a time and living each moment, practicing empathy and gratitude, finding meaning in helping others, learning new life skills, practicing yoga and meditation to achieve a sense of calm and so on.  

Dr. B. K. Agrawal MBBS, MD , Cardiology, General Physician, Internal Medicine

Yes, Persona can be given with modafinil. This is because people suffering from major depression also struggle with residual symptoms like persistent fatigue and excessive sleepiness. Modafinil helps overcome these residual symptoms and also improves the overall mood of a patient. Modafinil also helps people to improve their functionality at work.